U.S. Secret Service tightens travel rules

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WASHINGTON, April 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. Secret Service formally banned its agents from allowing foreign nationals into their hotel rooms while on duty overseas.

The memorandum issued Friday came in response to an embarrassing scandal involving members of President Obama's security advance team who reputedly partied with local prostitutes while making arrangements for his trip to a conference in Colombia.

The new policy limits visits by foreign nationals to hotel staff and law enforcement officials. It also limits the amount of alcohol agents can consume while off duty and makes "non-reputable establishments" off limits.

The New York Times said Saturday the memo tightens up rules of conduct that some senior agency officials concede were too vague.