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Party-Crashers Conned Secret Service

Couple talked their way past security, may face criminal charges

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 27, 2009 2:20 PM CST
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(Newser) – The state dinner crashers got in on pure chutzpah, conning a Secret Service agent into giving them access without verifying their names in the White House computer even though they weren't on the guest list. A law enforcement official tells MSNBC that rumors an administration official "waved in" Tareq and Michaele Salahi are false. And the Secret Service said it may open a criminal investigation into the incident.

The Salahis' lawyer said his "clients were cleared by the White House" to be at the party. Amid rampant speculation that includes reports they penetrated security to improve their chances of being selected for a reality show, "we're being intentionally vague on that," a Secret Service rep told the Washington Post. "All we are saying is that procedures we have in place weren't followed." Gawker posits that the couple used their ties to an Indian diplomat to gain entry.

This screen image made from Michaele Salahi's Facebook page shows a photo Michaele Salahi, right, with the CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi, at the White House state dinner in on Tuesday Nov. 24, 2009.
This screen image made from Michaele Salahi's Facebook page shows a photo Michaele Salahi, right, with the CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi, at the White House state dinner in on Tuesday Nov. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo)
In this Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 photo, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, right, arrive at a state dinner hosted by President Obama for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in Washington.
In this Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 photo, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, right, arrive at a state dinner hosted by President Obama for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
In this Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 photo, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, right, arrive at a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in Washington.
In this Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 photo, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, right, arrive at a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
lauriec67
Nov 28, 2009 12:39 PM CST
why does the media seem to think this is quirky,funky,pranksterish,& just plain cute? These 2 hustlers could well be bad intentioned citizens with an ax to grind!!! Who was asleep on the job? and how does Michelle like her kids,her husband, her family, her friends, and her invited guests being had by a couple of wannabe celebs? they would not have pulled this crap on the BushWhiteHouse! no one respects the office now that Mr.Obama has moved in. Seriously, this is a prank for Hef, not the Commander in Chief!
timeandagain
Nov 28, 2009 3:56 AM CST
Classic Obama "security"... I feel real safe!
0001tr
Nov 27, 2009 9:49 AM CST
in exactly the same way every americans secruity and future are being comprised under this administration....Inexperience, stupidity, ego

 
White House • President Obama • state dinner • Obama's first state dinner • Tareq and Michaele Salahi • Tareq Salahi • Michaele Salahi • Real Housewives of DC • state dinner crashers

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