The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration had quietly ousted its chief in Mexico in late spring 2021 over his improper socialization with drug lawyers, according to recently reviewed records.
Nicholas Palmeri, 52, had served as the DEA’s regional director for Mexico for 14 months before he was removed from his position, which came after he had been socializing and vacationing with Miami drug lawyers, according to records. As the regional director in Mexico, Palmeri was in charge of supervising dozens of agents across Mexico, Central America and Canada, according to the Associated Press.
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Other internal investigations that led to Palmeri’s downfall included complaints over his handling lack of care in COVID-19 precautions, which led to two sick agents requiring to be airlifted out of Mexico. Additionally, Palmeri had approved of using drug-fighting funds for inappropriate purposes and attempted to reimburse himself for expenses used in paying for a birthday party, according to the records.
Palmeri was replaced with Paul Knierim until November 2021, when Todd Zimmerman took the position, a person familiar with the investigation told the Washington Examiner.
The DEA has not given specifics on Palmeri being removed from the position or why he was allowed to retire instead of being fired, though an official told the outlet that the DEA “has zero tolerance for improper contacts between defense attorneys and DEA employees.”
Palmeri has described the misconduct investigations as a “witch hunt” that were prompted by personal and professional jealousies and “an ill-conceived narrative to remove me from my position.” He added that his relationships with the drug lawyers have “always been professional and ethical.”
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“It is ironic that the Department of ‘Justice’ would commit this injustice to the country,” Palmeri wrote in an email.
A previous version of this story stated that Palmeri was ousted from his position in 2022. A source familiar with the investigation clarified to the Washington Examiner that Palmeri remained with the DEA after he was removed from his position in late spring 2021 and remained with the agency until 2022.
