USAID’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated an investigation into an allegation that a former USAID mission director was the client of a commercial sex ring. OIG worked with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) to investigate the allegations.

OIG and DS found evidence showing that the former mission director posted online reviews of over 40 sex workers located in the United States and overseas. He told OIG and DS special agents that he’d solicited and paid sex workers while on temporary duty assignments and while he was posted overseas as a USAID foreign service officer (FSO).

The U.S. Department of Justice declined to pursue Federal criminal charges against the former mission director – a retired Senior Foreign Service Officer. OIG provided a report to USAID for action.

On January 7, 2025, USAID’s Suspension and Debarment Official debarred the former FSO from government procurement and nonprocurement programs for 20 years for violating USAID’s Counter Trafficking in Persons policy and procuring commercial sex while employed by USAID as a Foreign Service Officer and as a contractor.

UPDATED INVESTIGATIVE SUMMARY: Former USAID Mission Director Debarred for 20 Years After Soliciting and Paying Commercial Sex Workers | Office of Inspector General