President Obama is to appoint a veteran Secret Service official as director of the agency, according to a government source.

It is thought Obama will appoint David O’Connor, a former assistant director of investigations who retired last year, to head the agency which became embroiled in a prostitution scandal in Colombia last year.

Reuters reports O'Connor will replace Mark Sullivan, who retired in February after three decades of service with the agency.

“Mark Sullivan epitomizes the term ‘public service,’ and has devoted his life to the safety of our First Families, our nation’s leaders, and the public at large,” Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement after Sullivan’s retirement was announced. “I am deeply grateful for his contributions.”

The White House had no comment and the Department of Homeland Security would not confirm that he was to be appointed as Director of the agency that protects American presidents and visiting dignitaries.

O’Connor was with the Secret Service for 25 years, he oversaw all criminal investigations  and managed agents in the field. His role involved dignitary protection, which included the 2008 Democratic National Convention where Obama was formally selected as the party’s presidential candidate. In his early career he was a special agent in charge of the Newark, N.J., office.