The private military firm hired to guard the US embassy in Kabul is being accused of gross negligence and inappropriate behavior in carrying out its duties. According to the Project on Government Oversight, or POGO, more than a dozen embassy guards have come forward with allegations against colleagues employed by ArmorGroup North America. ArmorGroup protects the US embassy under a $189 million annual contract. The firm’s deal was renewed in July despite a critical State Department review of its work. The whistleblowers say ArmorGroup guards have conducted unauthorized, armed, nighttime operations in Kabul. Violating contract rules, the guards dressed in traditional Afghan garb and hid in abandoned buildings. The guards were also said to have filmed and photographed themselves carrying out lewd behavior that included urinating on each other at alcohol-fueled parties. On Tuesday, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said the new allegations will be investigated.

Ian Kelly: “Secretary Clinton has been apprised of the allegations in these documents and has directed the department and the Office of the Inspector General to take appropriate action. And let me just say that the secretary and the department have made it clear that we will have zero tolerance for the type of conduct that is alleged in these documents.”