March 28, 2025 – A newly released Justice Department report has revealed troubling misconduct by FBI agents stationed overseas between 2009 and 2018. The investigation uncovered instances of agents soliciting and engaging in sex with prostitutes in Cambodia, the Philippines, and Thailand, even as some attended anti-human trafficking training sessions.
The report, made public on March 27 following a lawsuit by The New York Times, paints a damning picture of FBI employees violating bureau policies and exposing themselves to risks of extortion and blackmail. The misconduct occurred during official events and conferences, with some agents socializing with local police and accepting prostitutes paid for by foreign law enforcement agencies.
Prostitution is illegal in the countries involved, and the FBI prohibits employees from paying for sex. The report highlights incidents such as FBI officials visiting Bangkok in 2017, where they negotiated for sex at bars, and a 2018 event in Manila where agents accepted prostitutes provided by local authorities.
The scandal has led to the resignation, retirement, or removal of five FBI employees implicated in the investigation. The Justice Department Inspector General noted that several violations occurred in the presence of multiple FBI employees, including supervisors.
This is not the first time U.S. law enforcement agencies have faced scrutiny for misconduct abroad. Similar scandals involving the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Secret Service in Colombia prompted congressional investigations and policy changes. Attorney-General Eric Holder’s 2015 memorandum prohibiting solicitation of prostitution was intended to address such issues, but the recent report shows that violations persisted.
The revelations come as FBI Director Kash Patel pledges to reform the bureau and restore its integrity. The scandal underscores the need for accountability and adherence to ethical standards within U.S. law enforcement agencies operating overseas.