California FBI agent accused of paying for prostitutes

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A defense attorney in Los Angeles is asking a judge to toss an indictment in a weapons trafficking case because an undercover FBI agent is accused of spending taxpayer dollars on prostitutes in the Philippines.

Court documents citing government misconduct filed last week by John Littrell, a deputy federal public defender, claim the agent, who hasn't been identified, paid up to $2,400 each time he went to brothels with the defendants during a gun trafficking probe last year.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller could not be immediately reached for comment Monday.

Littrell represents Sergio Santiago Syjuco, who along with two other Philippine nationals, face federal conspiracy charges. All three are accused of importing weapons to the U.S. without a license.

A hearing to consider dismissal of the charges is set for Oct. 15.