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Prostitution Scandal Hits Secret Service; Tornado Watch for Plains States; U.N. Votes on Syria

Aired April 14, 2012 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello to you. Have a great day. A lot to continue to cover. Thanks so much.

All right. Including a major scandal hitting the U.S. Secret Service just as President Obama arrives in Colombia, a country with significant security concerns of its own. Officials say several American Secret Service agents sent to Colombia for the president's weekend summit trip have been relieved of duty and sent home for misconduct.

"The Washington Post" said misconduct involved at least one agent having contact with a prostitute in Colombia. "The Post" was tipped off to the allegations by former "Post" reporter Ronald Kessler. Kessler appeared on CNN earlier this morning and he says a dozen agents were involved.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RONALD KESSLER, JOURNALIST/AUTHOR (via telephone): All 12 agents involved in this situation involving prostitutes. And one of the agents did not pay one of the prostitutes and she complained to local police and that's how this all started. Police went to the State Department. State Department told Secret Service. Secret service recalled all the agents. It is really the biggest scandal in Secret Service history.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Lothian is traveling with the president. He joins us live from Cartagena, Colombia.

So, Dan, I understand you have just learned some information about this scandal and investigation?

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And this information coming from two U.S. government sources who talked to my colleague John King. The early investigation according to these sources that several prostitutes brought back to the hotel by these agents.

One of those sources telling our John King that it was the same hotel that President Obama was to be staying at. At some point at least one of the prostitutes did have a dispute with one of the agents over payment. I should point out that prostitution is legal here in Colombia. So that prostitute then called police. Now, the number that we have been using is 12 -- 12 agents sent home. These sources are saying that number is close to 12 and, that's in the, quote, "ballpark". So, not exactly 12, but in the ballpark of 12 agents who were sent home.

Also, it's a combination of Secret Service agents and also Secret Service uniformed police. Now, they were not directly involved, we're told, in the president's security detail but rather were part of the broader security team here in Colombia. Some of them have been replaced. We were talking about when they left, that replacement were sent in. But we're told it wasn't a man for man replacement because it was determined that the staffing was adequate here on the ground in Colombia.

Again, these sources are stating that at no point was there a threat to the president himself. But this is highly embarrassing because it is a breach of conduct. Also, not to mention, especially here in Colombia, that a stranger or strangers were allegedly brought back to the hotel the president was staying in.

We're told by these sources that the president has been briefed on this. In addition, Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano has also been briefed, and an internal investigation is under way at the Secret Service -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And so, Dan, all this taking place, however, before the president's arrival, meaning these alleged interactions with prostitutes and bringing them back to the hotel before the president of the United States was to arrive at that hotel, correct?

LOTHIAN: That is correct. At least one of those sources saying it was the same hotel the president was to be staying at. He's now staying at that hotel. But all of this happening before President Obama actually arrived at that hotel, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Dan Lothian, thanks so much, from Cartagena. I know you'll be keeping us posted throughout the day.

And, of course, later on today, we understand there will be a White House briefing coming from Colombia at about 4:00 Eastern Time.

All right. Back in the U.S., there's a growing sense of urgency right now that a new tornado outbreak is likely in the Plains States. Conditions are ripe for severe weather throughout the weekend. A tornado touched down in Chickasaw, Oklahoma, late yesterday, damaging a number of homes there. You see the images. No one was seriously injured. The same storm dropped large hail in Norman, causing moderate damage.

A storm chaser who was in the area has an ominous prediction of what might come later today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TONY LAUBACH, STORM CHASER (via telephone): Today has a potential to be a super outbreak with tornadoes possible from Nebraska, all the way down to north Texas. Many of those tornadoes could potentially be very, very strong, impacting a lot of people from Lincoln, Nebraska, all the way down to Wichita Falls, Texas.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. Let's find out from our Alexandra Steele who is in the severe weather center.

So, this is a day for people to watch and people to be on alert and have their weather radios and everything else at hand, right?

ALEXANDRA STEELE, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, absolutely. And, you know, Fredricka, what's most unnerving about this, not only the potential for long track tornadoes, but the timing of it. We could see the balance of this after nightfall, of course, and rain wrapped tornadoes, you can't see them, it's dark.

So, I think the big message this morning, we have showers and thunderstorms and lightning, nothing severe as of yet. But it's just an awareness this morning. So, if I talk about your city or your town, I think the key today, know where you're going to be, your kids are going to be, have a plan. I think that's number one this morning.

All right. Let's get to it and show you. We do have thunderstorms, a lot of lightning along I-44, but pretty benign as of yet, nothing too severe. So, that is the good news. St. Louis, north of Cinci, Indy is going to see a very wet morning and afternoon. So, that jog does not look good.

But look to the west, just popped up, second tornado watch of the day. Tornado watch different from a tornado warning. Tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted. A watch means atmospheric conditions are ripe for tornadoes to develop. So, that is most certainly the case.

And the bull's eye today really seems like Kansas and Nebraska. So, this is the watch you can see. Watch these storms, just firing up. So, atmosphere really getting revved.

All right. Here is the big picture in terms of what we'll see -- of course, seeing right now more warnings, thunderstorm warnings. But we do have that tornado watch.

Why, right, why is this happening? All the atmospheric ingredients coming together -- warm moist atmosphere coming up from the south, we've got this jet stream, a robust jet stream, cold pocket aloft. So, the meteorological jargon is there, right?

So, what does it mean for you? Today, Des Moines, Wichita, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Abilene, both Kansas and potentially even Abilene, Texas, under slight risk. Tomorrow, Green Bay down to Houston.

So, Fredricka, what we're talking about, 1,000 miles and about 5 million people impacted. So, a pretty scary day and tonight and tomorrow setting up.

WHITFIELD: OK.

And, of course, we'll continue to watch and keep people posted. That being one of the stories that we're going to continue to stay on top of today.

The other, as I mentioned, that U.S. Secret Service investigation -- I mentioned there's a White House briefing. That will take place at 5:00 Eastern Time today. And, of course, we'll be covering that live as that happens.

Also, just moments ago, the U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Syria. It's demanding the government to allow 30 observers to monitor the situation there.

But the bloody massacre goes on days after a fragile ceasefire went into effect. In Homs, government forces shelled neighborhoods at dawn. Government forces also targeted protesters in Daraa, injuring at least 20 people. Opposition activists say at least 16 people killed by Syrian security forces across the country today.

The U.N. estimates that at least 9,000 Syrians have been killed since protests began there just over a year ago.

The presidential campaigns are going into overdrive to win over women voters in this country. It's a fierce fight with major consequences. Details, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. The battle for women voters. It's heating up with both President Obama and Mitt Romney speaking to that key voting bloc directly this week. But there were some missteps by both Republicans and Democrats.

Let's turn to CNN political editor Paul Steinhauser.

Paul, good to see you in person. This is a real great treat and rare treat for us, too.

So, we're talking about Democrat Hilary Rosen who made some comments and it really has ignited a political firestorm this week when she said Ann Romney had never worked a day in her life, that that can be interpreted a few different ways. The Romney camp immediately jumped on that and incorporated it into their campaign. And the Obama campaign came out and criticized Rosen's comments, kind of distancing itself.

So, you have to wonder whether it still have legs? Will it continue turn to churn, this issue, as we lead into the November election? Big impact?

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: You're right. The Romney campaign -- big impact, right. Immediately, the Romney campaign was so quick to jump on this.

WHITFIELD: Seize. STEINHAUSER: Very -- yes, and they did a good job on that. And the Obama campaign was quick to point out, Hilary Rosen has no connection whatsoever to the Obama reelection team.

As for that controversy, I think, yes, it's going to run out of steam. But the bigger picture, the bigger story, which is the battle for women voters that is definitely --

WHITFIELD: In a big way.

STEINHAUSER: -- going to continue.

You know, yesterday, this was interesting. We saw Mitt Romney give his first real major speech yesterday since Rick Santorum dropped out of the race.

WHITFIELD: In front of the NRA.

STEINHAUSER: Yes. And guess who is there and guess who introduced him.

WHITFIELD: Ann was there.

STEINHAUSER: Ann Romney. And she spoke for a couple of minutes. That's not -- that's no mistake there. That's no surprise at all.

Mitt Romney is going to be using his wife to reach out to female voters from now through November.

WHITFIELD: Is going to be effective? We saw Obama doing the same thing with Michelle Obama. I mean, she was a big gun in their arsenal. It was very effective.

But is that the formula, or really does it depend on the woman?

STEINHAUSER: It depends on the woman. It also depends on Mitt Romney and his issues when it comes to women.

But listen, we saw Ann Romney become a bigger factor in the primaries. We've seen three straight national polls all indicate Mitt Romney has a gender gap right now. He's not doing well with women voters. You're going to see more of Ann Romney on the campaign trail.

WHITFIELD: And you have to wonder, too. The GOP is kind of in damage control itself because so many women said that they were turned off by the whole discussion about their reproduction, you know, discussions and debates and really are blaming a lot of Republican leaders for that.

So is this trying to make up, I guess, for some of that?

STEINHAUSER: Yes. The Romney campaign is hoping to turn the corner. Remember, Mitt Romney said in the primaries he would defund Planned Parenthood, or federal funding. So, they are hoping to get away from those social issues and talk about the economy, the economy, the economy, and how Barack Obama as president has not helped women. That's his message, that's how he hopes to get reach to women voters and get rid of that gender gap.

WHITFIELD: Rick Santorum now out of the race, leading up to Pennsylvania. Does this mean that, you know, Mitt Romney is able to kind of get the party to unify?

STEINHAUSER: Yes, that's his job right now. Listen, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul are still in the race. But, basically, it is over.

You know, Mitt Romney is the nominee. Now, he has to consolidate all the bases. He's got to reach out to conservative voters, Christian conservatives, Tea Party supporters who he didn't do well with in the primaries and bring them in.

WHITFIELD: And now the discussion will be about vice presidential pick.

STEINHAUSER: Oh, yes.

WHITFIELD: Who's going to be the running mate? Would it be someone that Mitt Romney, you know, met up with on the campaign trail? Or do they need to start over and start looking for other fresher faces or, you know, I guess other more popular GOP leaders?

STEINHAUSER: Yes, that's the big question between now and August when Romney names his running mate. Who's it going to be? And does he need a woman? Does he need a Latino? Does he need a conservative? Does he need, what does he need, right, to help him? does he need somebody from an important state?

Couple of names really pop out to my mine right now.

Marco Rubio, the senator from Florida, even though he said, no, no, no, a bunch of times, he brings a lot to the ticket. Florida is a swing state.

What about Rob Portman of Ohio? Such an important state, maybe not an exciting character but let me tell you -- he's a safe pick. And he's from Ohio.

Paul Ryan, the House Budget chairman.

WHITFIELD: Need Ohio all the time.

STEINHAUSER: That's true. Ryan, we saw kind of a bromance between him and Romney in Wisconsin a couple of weeks.

And, finally, Governor McDonnell in Virginia. Virginia was a state Barack Obama won four years ago. Republicans want to grab it back and he's also popular with Christian conservatives.

WHITFIELD: And no mention of Chris Christie anymore, huh?

STEINHAUSER: He's still there. But will he overshadow --

WHITFIELD: He's a big Romney supporter.

STEINHAUSER: He is.

WHITFIELD: And would he overshadow?

STEINHAUSER: Overshadow, that's a question.

WHITFIELD: And a lot of charisma, and he's got a big personality.

All right. Thanks so much. Paul Steinhauser, always good to see you, even better in person.

STEINHAUSER: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much.

All right. College students are reassessing their majors to get them a leg up in this shaky job market. We'll take a look at that in 60 -- no, 90 seconds from now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The economy is steadily recovering, but the latest unemployment and job numbers still paint a picture of uncertainty. Many college students are keeping that in mind now to strategically choose their majors.

Here is Christine Romans with "Smart is the New Rich".

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Laura Buffolino isn't worried about finding a job after graduation.

LAURA BUFFOLINO, STUDENT, FARMINGDALE STATE COLLEGE, SUNY: I've always been into science, never knew exactly what, but now I'm pretty sure I want to work in genetics.

ROMANS: A bioscience major at Farmingdale State College, Buffolino in the fast-growing and high-paying STEM category, science, technology, engineering and math.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A fairly neutral term.

ROMANS: Her classmate, Michael Kelly, a history buff, doesn't share her love of science.

MICHAEL KELLY, STUDENT, FARMINGDALE STATE COLLEGE, SUNY: I was dead set on history, didn't want to major on anything else.

ROMANS: He loves history but will minor in it instead. His degree will be in technology studies, so he can pursue a job in information technology.

KELLY: I didn't want to finish school with no debt and then immediately jump into a situation where I had a lot of debt for paying off the master's degree which I totally would have to take out loans for. ROMANS: Kelly well knows that starting salaries for general studies lag STEM. And by mid-career, the difference between, say, engineering and psychology is huge.

ANTHONY CARNEVALE, DIRECTOR, GEORGETOWN UNIV. CTR ON EDU. & THE WORKFORCE: If you're studying to be a petroleum engineer and you get a bachelor's degree, you'll make $80,000 a year. If you're studying a psychology and you're going to become a counselor in social work agency, you'll make $30,000 a year.

So, what you make depends very much on what you take.

ROMANS: But dollar signs aren't everything. Find the intersection of what you're good at, like to do and what someone will pay you to do.

Nancy Zimpher is chancellor of the State University of New York.

NANCY ZIMPHER, CHANCELLOR, STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK: What we know is that businesses and industry are saying repeatedly: we want creative people, we want problem solvers, we want people who can work in teams. The trick I think is sort of a dual degree or a major/minor where you cover your bases.

ROMANS: Students Laura Buffolino and Mike Kelly think they've done just that and that their degree will help them land a secure job in a less than secure job market.

Christine Romans, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And former presidential candidate John Edwards in court. Did he give campaign money to his ex-mistress? Coming up next, our legal guys will weigh in.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Jury selection is under way in the John Edwards criminal trial. He's charged with six felony and misdemeanor counts related to the alleged misused of campaign money from his failed 2008 presidential bid.

Let's bring our legal guys.

Avery Friedman is a civil rights attorney and law professor in Cleveland. Good to see you.

AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Hi, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Richard Herman, a New York criminal defense attorney and law professor, joining us in Las Vegas. Good to see you as well.

All right, gentlemen. I know you couldn't wait for this day, because, boy, we've been talking about this case from the beginning, for a very long time before it went to the grand jury, after grand jury and here we are now with jury selection. So, a 12-member jury and four alternates will be -- selected potentially by April 23rd.

You have to wonder, you know, Richard, this is going to be very difficult because there has been so much publicity involved in this case well before this day. How are they going to find any jurors to seat that don't know an awful lot about it or haven't formed and opinion? That's really the key -- haven't formed an opinion about it.

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: That's how you get stealth jurors. But, look, they seated a jury in the Casey Anthony case, Fred. So, if they can do it there, they're going to be able to do it for John Edwards.

You know, his experience in civil litigation and negligence cases, personal injury torts. This is criminal law, as Avery will tell you. It's a whole different ball game. He's facing substantial prison time. And although the statute --

WHITFIELD: Up to 30 years.

HERMAN: -- not been used. Yes, 30 years.

And the grounds of the prosecution are based on a statute that's never been used like this before. So, this is the first time.

But, apparently the trial judge has dismissed all the pretrial motions. So, he's cleared the way to allow the prosecution --

WHITFIELD: Oh, boy.

HERMAN: -- a six-month deal, Fred, and he could keep his law license. That was the plea offer he rejected.

So, I don't know how strong the government feels about their case.

AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: He had to.

WHITFIELD: Why? Why did he have to?

(CROSSTALK)

FRIEDMAN: Yes, he had to -- I'm sorry, Richard. He had to reject it because all John Edwards has left is his law license. And if he would have --

HERMAN: He can keep it.

FRIEDMAN: I mean, he would have lost his law license and he'd be finished. So, there's an enormous risk here.

And let me tell you something, the federal district judge to whom this case is assigned, Catherine Eagles --

WHITFIELD: Yes. FRIEDMAN: -- has done a wonderful job, absolutely wonderful job, in handling these potential jurors, saying you're not judging this man based on the fact that he was a lousy husband, and a guy that you couldn't trust and cheat and stuff like that.

And if you're watching "Law and Order," you're watching Judge Judy, forget about that. She is handling this absolutely beautifully. And I think you're going to see a good, fair jury.

WHITFIELD: OK. So, one of the things they have to try to determine, these jurors have to help discern whether this 101-year-old heiress, Rachel "Bunny" Mellon, the $925,000 that she contributed to John Edwards, was this a donation to his campaign fund or was this money directed strictly to help cover up -- kind of hush money to help cover up this affair with Rielle Hunter.

And we're talking about looking at checks, there are emails, there is dialogue between she and John Edwards, or those who were kind of intercepting the money, putting the money in personal accounts.

So, you know, Richard, this is fascinating because would Ms. Mellon stated clearly this is money not for your campaign but this is money strictly for the affair. That's what at the heart of the issue, right?

HERMAN: That's the heart of the issue, Fred. They -- the government claims that John Edwards sought and directed the issuance of these campaign funds to not go into his campaign accounts but to circumvent them and go directly to hide this pregnancy. And John Edwards is saying, look, number one, I didn't know about it, which is a ridiculous claim by him to make. If he sticks with that he's going down.

And number two, if he did, his motivation was simply not to affect the election but to hide the pregnancy from his wife, which I don't know how the jury is going to react to that.

So, I think he's in hot soup here. I think he's got a problem.

WHITFIELD: And, Avery, among those who are being called on the witness stand, Rielle Hunter. This is the woman who was the mistress and now the mother of his child as well. But she, too, could potentially face charges, right? And then the eldest daughter is also --

FRIEDMAN: No, no, she's got immunity. She's got immunity, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: OK. So, she's clean, so to speak.

FRIEDMAN: Yes.

WHITFIELD: She doesn't have to worry about it.

FRIEDMAN: She's well. They'll beat her up. But the government is hanging their case on guess who, Andrew Young --

WHITFIELD: Right.

FRIEDMAN: -- the tell-all assistant who --

WHITFIELD: Who apparently received cash, sometimes cash, or these checks directly. Interesting.

FRIEDMAN: Yes. I mean, I think --

(CROSSTALK)

HERMAN: But the best is yet to come.

WHITFIELD: Yes, OK.

HERMAN: And, guys, the plea deal allowed him to keep his law license, Avery. It was a misdemeanor deal. It allowed him to keep his law license and he rejected it. So, big stakes here --

WHITFIELD: OK. So we're going to be talking some more on this case.

(CROSSTALK)

FRIEDMAN: -- not the court.

WHITFIELD: For certain.

OK. So, we got about a minute left.

HERMAN: My hair might get messed up on this one.

WHITFIELD: We've got about a minute left. Let's talk about this other case. This involving cigarette labels. The FDA wants to put graphic cigarette labels on cigarette containers, et cetera, packages. Tobacco companies saying, no, this is a violation of their free speech, First Amendment.

Avery, do they have a good argument?

FRIEDMAN: That's what the tobacco company is saying. The federal court of appeals up in this part of the country said, no, it doesn't violate First Amendment rights of the tobacco companies.

The argument was made to the U.S. Court of Appeals this week in D.C. They may or may not agree with that. If there's going to be a split in the circuit, Fredricka -- bottom line: it may head to the U.S. Supreme Court.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my gosh. Richard, do you think this is Supreme Court material

HERMAN: It's absolutely going to the Supreme Court eventually, Fred. Do they really think these types of ads prevent people from smoking? I mean, we see people smoking through tracheotomies. If they want to smoke, they're going to smoke. These ads aren't going to do anything.

WHITFIELD: OK. Richard and Avery, thanks so much. We're going to seed you again in about 20 minutes. We're going to talk about former pitching great, Rober Clemens, the second time around -- it's going to be the second time around for the prosecutors that is, trying to prove he lied to Congress about the use of performance enhancing drugs. We'll talk about that.

We'll take a hit at that in a moment.

All right. Adopting, it can be a tough process for any parent. We'll meet a man who helps gay Americans fulfill their dreams.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: More than 100,000 foster children are waiting to be adopted in the U.S. And this week's CNN hero is fighting to find each one a family. After finally winning his 10-year battle to become a parent, David Wing-Kovarik is uniquely qualified to help other gay Americans to fulfill their dreams of becoming a family. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was adopted and felt I wanted to adopt a kid that needed a home. My son was in foster care for four years.

But from the minute Michael and I met, I knew right away we were going to be a family.

I thought everything was going great. But after a month, Michael was removed from my house. I was cut off.

DAVID WING-KOVARIK, CNN HERO: Finding that family for a child, it's not short of a miracle.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's go. We need to get ready for the horses.

And sometimes families are faced with barriers because of a myth or misunderstanding, causing the kids to stay in foster care longer. Being the gay or lesbian individual or couple makes it much harder.

My name is David Wing-Kovarik. Now I help other gay and lesbian individuals become parents.

We're working together with you on that. I want to make sure you've got that family to family kind of support.

I've worked hundreds of cases side by side social workers.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We covered a lot of information last week.

WING-KOVARIK: I've trained thousands of foster parents. It doesn't matter if you're gay or straight. We do it for free.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He figured out how to get us over the finish line. Our family wouldn't have adopted each other if it hadn't been for David.

WING-KOVARIK: I'm fighting for the right of that child to have that family.

UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: Daddy, is tonight movie night?

WING-KOVARIK: It's why I keep doing it every single day.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And remember CNN heroes are all chosen from people you tell us about. To nominate someone making a difference in their community, go to CNNheroes.com. Your nomination could help them help others.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. New details are surfacing about a prostitution scandal involving the U.S. Secret Service. Several Secret Service personnel assigned to President Obama's trip to Colombia have been relieved of duty and sent home after they reportedly had contact with prostitutes in Colombia.

Government sources say about 12 agents and Secret Service police officers were involved. None were part of the president's protective detail.

Joining us right now by phone, Dan Emmett, a retired Secret Service agent, and author of "Within Arm's Length." He's joining us now by phone from Auburn, Alabama.

Thanks so much, Dan, for being able to join us.

But even though these agents may not have been a part of the president's protective service detail, they have -- if indeed it is the case that this took place -- they have indeed breached a conduct. So give me an idea. What kind of restrictions are placed for these Secret Service agents or anyone working in U.S. Secret Service to bring any guest, no matter who they are, to the hotel where the president of the United States might soon be staying?

DAN EMMETT, RETIRED SECRET SERVICE AGENT (via telephone): OK. I'm not sure exactly what the details are in the situation. I like to make it clear, though, there's apparently not an issue of legality here. What they were accused of doing is legal in that country, although that certainly does not absolve them of their responsibilities, their level of conduct being Secret Service agents and officers.

WHITFIELD: So, prostitution is legal but talking about bringing, if this investigation pans out and confirms that any Secret Service detail may have brought guests to the hotel, the place where the president may be staying, that may not be illegal, but it does breach the code of conduct.

EMMETT: I would say there's conduct issues involved certainly. I simply -- I don't know the details. I don't know if we're talking about the hotel that the president is staying in. WHITFIELD: Well, yes, I mean, our reporter -- our White House reporter who's traveling with the president did get confirmation. That is the case that these agents or personnel, I should say, did, indeed, bring prostitutes to the hotel where the president soon would be staying. So that part being confirmed.

EMMETT: OK. And, of course, if that is the case, that would be inappropriate. And these officers and agents have, as you know, been relieved, sent back to Washington. I'm quite certain a very thorough investigation will be undertaken by the Secret Service to determine exactly what happened.

WHITFIELD: And then, how would or would you be able reveal kind of how would something like this, an incident like this, be investigated by the U.S. Secret Service? Would it strictly just involve that agency? Or would it involve other outside U.S. government agencies or investigators?

EMMETT: Initially, it's going to be looked into the office of inspection, which is the Secret Service version of internal affairs that you would have in a police department. Of course, investigations can escalate up to the inspector general's level. But, generally speaking, something like this would be handled internally.

WHITFIELD: The White House has said and, again, they are going to have a press conference, 5:00 Eastern Time. We're going to cover that and that coming from Colombia. Those in the White House have said, reportedly, that this does not compromise security of the president. But do you question that, I mean, that this conduct could, indeed, compromise the security of the president?

EMMETT: Personally, I don't see that as being an issue. I don't think for a minute looking at the circumstances that are known right now that would be an issue, no.

WHITFIELD: That anyone who would be a visitor would put anything, plant anything in the hotel the president was soon to be staying? Wouldn't that be a concern?

EMMETT: No, it would not be, and that the president's area where he's going to be staying -- I think it's pretty well-known that area is going to be swept and ensure there's not anything there. None of these women, I can assure you, would have had any proximity whatsoever to the presidential area where he's going to be staying.

WHITFIELD: All right. Dan Emmett, thanks so much. It is a fascinating investigation at the early stages. You're the author of "Within Arm's Length". And I hope you don't mind if we call upon you again, of course, as we get more details about this investigation and the direction it might go.

EMMETT: Certainly, no problem.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much, Dan.

All right. A quick visit to Facebook on your work computer seems harmless, right? Well, one company not only sued but wanted an employee to be tried as hacker. You can bet our legal guys have an opinion on this one. You'll hear from them right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Another swing for prosecutors trying to convict former pitching great Roger Clemens. Clemens heads back to court Monday for a perjury retrial. Our legal guys are back. Avery Friedman in Cleveland, Richard Herman in Las Vegas.

All right. Here we go again, huh? Deja vu?

OK. So, you know, this ended in a mistrial last summer, Richard. Will anything be done differently that prosecutors feel they should, you know, be successful and maybe hit a home run this time?

HERMAN: All these analogies, Fred -- unbelievable, a swing at it, home run.

WHITFIELD: You know, I always look for an opportunity. Can't help myself.

HERMAN: I know. You're taking them today, too. That's great.

Listen, they were embarrassed getting that mistrial. Getting that mistrial, Fred, the government was embarrassed. Don't like to embarrass the government.

So, they're going to streamline their case. They're going to be watching their Ps and Qs this time. But, you know, at the end of the day, Fred, at the end of the day, a pitcher who throws faster at the end of his career than he did when he was younger, something is up here.

And Andy Pettitte is going to commit. This was his former BFF. He's going to get on that witness stand, Fred, and he's going to give it to them in spades that Roger acknowledged taking HGH.

Now, you can cross-examination Andy as much as you want but jury is going to see it and I think it's going to be very powerful.

WHITFIELD: And so, Avery, that has to be revealed? I mean, this is almost as if it's going to be a trial about steroid abuse, enhance -- performance enhancing drugs in order to prove that he perjured himself?

FRIEDMAN: Well, it's actually better for the government in that respect, because the last time around before the pretrial, Fredricka, the government only had transcripts. Now, they have Roger Pettitte's actual testimony, the recordings the Justice Department fought the House of Representatives to get. So, it has increased.

And I agree. I think -- I think Roger Clemens is in a world of trouble. I can't believe he testified before Congress in the first place.

WHITFIELD: Yes, because he didn't have to.

FRIEDMAN: Be put under oath.

WHITFIELD: He put himself in a bad position, huh?

FRIEDMAN: There's six charges he's looking at here, absolutely.

WHITFIELD: O, boy.

Last time there was evidence that the prosecutors brought forth that the judge already ruled that was inadmissible. Clearly, the prosecutors felt like they really needed that evidence, even though it was inadmissible, to kind of throw it in there or taint the jury pool or something? Or, you know, was that an indicator of the strength or weakness of their case, even this second time around, Avery?

FRIEDMAN: No, it was a mistake. Judge Reggie Walton already knocked out Andy Pettitte's wife's affidavit. It wound up in a video, the judge on the second day of trial. So, they are going to do it again and do it better.

And I think Roger Clemens, I think I'm the first one saying it, I think we're looking at a conviction here. Absolutely.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my gosh.

OK. So, if convicted -- I mean, he's facing the same kind of stiff penalty as John Edwards, what we talked about earlier, 30 years in prison maximum, a million and a half for a fine potentially?

HERMAN: No, no, no.

FRIEDMAN: Fifteen to 21 months.

WHITFIELD: OK. So that information isn't right.

FRIEDMAN: Fifteen to 21 months.

WHITFIELD: OK, OK. I was going to say, oh my gosh -- deja vu, it's all over again.

Facebook, let's talk about -- yes, here we go. All right. Facebook, let's talk about this.

Some folks are looking at their Facebook at work. And some employers are really coming down hard and saying they are violating a federal law. So, first up, you know, Richard, what is this federal law that many of these employers are, you know, alleging needs to be applied here?

HERMAN: It's an anti-hacking statute, Fred, that was enacted to prevent hacking. And what the government is doing, apparently they are bored, they have nothing to do. So, they are trying to overreach and go beyond the intent of Congress in looking at this statute and trying to now call it criminalized behavior. If at work you go on Facebook or you research the weather or you send e-mails, personal e-mails from your workplace computer, they are trying to say that is a crime under this statute.

The courts are not going to put up with it. This is not a crime under the statute. They are overreaching here, overly zealous, and just a big waste of time right here, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Avery, you disagree.

FRIEDMAN: It's not a waste of time. This is as serious as it gets. A 10 out of 11 federal appeals judges this week said that the law, in a sense, is unconstitutional. That it's not a law that should be used to pick on employees, that employers are going to use it to threaten employees that go to the FBI.

Unfortunately, three other if the appeals circuits said it might violate the law. And again, here we go, splitting the circuit. I think the case is heading to the U.S. Supreme Court.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness. The Supreme Court is going to be busy soon -- busier than they have been.

Avery, Richard, thanks so much.

FRIEDMAN: Unbelievable.

WHITFIELD: Good to see you. Have a great rest of the weekend.

FRIEDMAN: See you soon.

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: Looking forward seeing you next time.

All right. Hot off the political ticker -- Mitt Romney is kicking off his general election campaign. Well, yesterday, he spoke to the National Rifle Association. At their annual meeting, Romney promised to back gun rights in an effort to appeal to the conservative Republican base. He shifted away from his own moderate record on rights to the president.

All right. And first, it Warren Buffett. Now, the White House says the president paid a lower tax rate than his secretary. If you're wondering, the president paid an income tax rate of 20.5 percent on an adjusted gross income of nearly $790,000. That's according to Obama's 2011 tax return released by the White House.

The White House spokeswoman says the president's and his secretary's situation are proof the tax code needs to be reformed.

And we'll take a closer look at the political fight ahead for President Obama versus Mitt Romney. Join me tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 when I talk to CNN senior political analyst David Gergen.

And it is a button unlike any other. And if you push it, you could be in for a real surprise. Jeanne Moos will tell us next.

(COMMERICLA BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Have you ever felt a need to push a button, any button? Well, some creative ad makers relied on that human urge to get a wild commercial made in Belgium.

Here's Jeanne Moos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It only took a couple of minutes for someone to push it.

(SIRENS)

(MUSIC)

MOOS: Now, most of these folks are stunt people, except for the onlookers and those pushing the button.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The people are too flabbergasted really to react or to run away or to intervene.

MOOS: What it is -- is a viral ad from CNN's sister network, TNT, which is being introduced in Belgium.

Speaking of shootings, how many times did they shoot this? One continuous performance?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We did it, like, 11 times. So there were actually 11 people pushing the button. And from the best reactions, of course, we made a compilation.

MOOS: The ad agency, Duval Guillaume, got permission from the town to set up its hidden cameras. When a real person pushed the button, the director yelled, "Action!"

MOOS: Maybe you'd like a button for more drama in your town -- but don't get carried away. The closest you're probably going to get to a button that produces excitement -- is watching a quiz show.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "FAMILY FEUD")

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Something a burglar would not want to see when he breaks into a house?

(BUZZER)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Rob (ph)?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Naked grandma!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Naked -- huh?

(END VIDEO CLIP, "FAMILY FEUD") MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't want to see that either.

MOOS: -- New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Very funny stuff.

All right. Sunday is the 10th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Not so funny. You can relive the stories of those who were on board without ever leaving the shore.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: One hundred years after the sinking of the Titanic, many of you are looking for ways to relive the stories of those who were on the ship.

Rob Marciano shows us how to get on board without ever leaving land.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: God Almighty.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The movie "Titanic" is back in theaters in 3D marking the 100 year anniversary of the Titanic sinking.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Iceberg right ahead.

MARCIANO: From the silver screen to attractions around the country, there are many ways to connect with the ill-fated ship.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look right through these windows, that's just the way it looked that night.

MARCIANO: Replica Titanic in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Branson, Missouri, let you see recovered artifacts, climb the grand staircase, and even feel how cold the water was the night of the disaster.

And for a doomed ship, they have no shortage of passengers.

JOHN JOSLYN, OWNER, TITANIC MUSEUM: There was such a large following. I don't care if you're five or 95, you have an interest or some connection to Titanic.

MARCIANO: And if you can't make it to one of these museums, RMSTitanic.net can steer you to other exhibitions.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have an obsession with Titanic. It's really cool.

MARCIANO: And if you don't quite get the obsession, the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C. is making a splash with their newest exhibit aptly called, "Titanic: 100 Year Obsession."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Checking today's top stories:

The U.S. Secret Service investigating allegations of misconduct by several of its agents assigned to President Obama's trip to Colombia. Several agents and Secret Service police officers have been relieved of duty and sent home after they reportedly had contact with prostitutes in Colombia. The group was not part of the president's personal protective detail.

In Syria, people can hear the sounds of gunfire and shelling again. Last hour, the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution demanding the government to allow 30 observers to monitor the situation.

Government forces are already defying a ceasefire plan implemented earlier in the week. Opposition activists say at least 16 people were killed by Syrian security forces across the country today. Twenty were injured after government forces opened fire at demonstrators in Daraa.

And people across the Plains States here in the U.S. are bracing for a real possibility of severe weather today, specifically tornadoes. One twister did touch down near Norman, Oklahoma, late yesterday, tearing roofs off a number of homes. No serious injuries reported.

All right. Coming up later this afternoon, a new Broadway play about a basketball rivalry-turned-friendship. NPR's Mike Peska saw "Magic/Bird." We'll have a preview of that Broadway production.

And some advice for job seekers: what's the one thing not to say in an interview. Career coach Valerie Burton joins me at 4:00 Eastern Time.

And, of course, we're keeping an eye on two big developing stories this afternoon, the expected tornado outbreak in the Plains States. And the White House has a news conference later on today about the U.S. Secret Service, allegations of misconduct in Colombia.

I'm Fredricka. "YOUR MONEY" starts right now.