WASHINGTON (AP) — Two U.S. sailors have rejected administrative punishments for allegedly hiring prostitutes in Colombia last year in a scandal that engulfed members of the military and Secret Service, and both asked for trials by court-martial.
The sailors were the last to be charged in the embarrassing episode that erupted around the time of a visit by President Barack Obama to Cartagena.
Of the dozen military members implicated, seven U.S. soldiers and two Marines received administrative punishments for what was described as misconduct, and one Air Force member was administratively reprimanded for poor judgment.
Three of the soldiers declined the administrative punishments and were found guilty in nonjudicial punishment hearings of having relations with a prostitute. All three had to forfeit their base salary for two months, along with other punishments.
