Report: White House will name new Secret Service chief

The White House is planning to name David O'Connor, a retired Secret Service official, as the next head of the agency, according to a report from Reuters.

O'Connor is a 25-year veteran of the agency who oversaw criminal investigations and field agents during his tenure. He also served as the head of dignitary protection, and coordinated the Secret Service presence at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

There agency's top job has been vacant since Mark Sullivan retired last month. Sullivan had led the agency since 2006, but was at the helm during the Columbian prostitution scandal that marred the protective service's reputation.

The Springfield, Mass. Republican previously reported that O'Connor protected presidential candidate Al Gore and first daughter Chelsea Clinton during his time in the service. He also coordinated a visit from Pope Benedict, who resigned from the Vatican last week.

The Secret Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the Reuters report.

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