Nation in brief: Three on leave for security breach

Washington – The head of the Secret Service asserted Thursday that the security breach at last week’s White House state dinner was an aberration but has put three uniformed officers on leave.

The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson, said the country is fortunate the affair didn’t end in a “night of horror.” Appearing before Thompson’s panel for questioning, Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan acknowledged his officers made mistakes and that the Secret Service must have a “100 percent” performance record.

The Secret Service chief said the investigation so far has found three people from the agency’s uniformed officer division responsible for the security breach and all three have been put on administrative leave. He added that the agency is still reviewing what security protocols weren’t followed.

Politician to resign over sex scandal

Atlanta – Embroiled in a drama involving a suicide attempt and allegations of an affair with a lobbyist, Georgia’s House speaker, Glenn Richardson, a Republican, said Thursday that he would resign.

The announcement by Richardson – a family-values conservative – came amid Republicans’ mounting calls for his ouster and amid fears that a lingering sex and ethics scandal could harm the Georgia GOP in next year’s statewide elections.

Republicans in Georgia control both houses of the Legislature. But next year, every legislator is up for re-election in a shaky economy. Also, former Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes – who could appeal to moderates – has declared his intention to run again.