Prostitution scandal investigator resigns after caught paying for sex

The man who led the investigation into the 2012 US Secret Service prostitution scandal has been forced to quit after being caught paying for sex.

David Nieland quietly stepped down from the Department of Homeland Security in August after a prostitute identified him from a photograph as one of her clients, the New York Times reports.

A department spokesman today confirmed Mr Nieland's resignation after sources within their ranks tipped off the Times.

The spokesman said they would not comment on the incident, other than that department officials "became aware in early May of this year of an incident in Florida that involved one of our employees."

Mr Nieland headed investigations in 2012 when Secret Service agents reportedly took part in a cocaine-and-whiskey fuelled orgy with prostitutes in Cartagena, Colombia.

He helped to produce a 65-report on the incident and went on record at the time to suggest that a White House volunteer was involved in the scandal.

Mr Nieland denied the allegations and declined the newspaper's request for an interview.