Michaele and Tareq Salahi were allowed into a White House state dinner even though they were not on the guest list. The Secret Service has apologized for the breakdown in security, and an investigation into possible criminal behavior is ongoing. Here the couple is seen with President Barack Obama during the event.
Michaele Salahi is a reality TV hopeful trying to get on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of D.C." Her and her husband's success in getting into the state dinner without an invitation embarrassed the White House and Secret Service. Here the couple poses with Vice President Joe Biden.
Long before the Salahi's embarrassing White House photo opportunity, the couple had a penchant for posing with high-powered celebrities, such as Fergie, shown here, of the Black Eyed Peas.
When it became clear the couple had interacted with Obama and Vice President Joe Biden during the event, Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan said the agency that protects the president is "deeply concerned and embarrassed." Sullivan said that while an investigation continues, the agency has taken measures to ensure the oversight is not repeated. In this photo, Michaele Salahi stand next to actress Ashley Judd.
Casey Margenau, a friend of the Salahis, said the two "spent Friday with the Secret Service and they have been cooperating." Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan refused Sunday to provide information on the investigation or comment on the reports. In this photo, Michaele Salahi stands with actor Matt Damon.
It is unclear what the couple told officers at the checkpoint that allowed them to go through the security screening. The Salahis' lawyer, Paul Gardner, posted a comment on the couple's Facebook page saying his clients were cleared by the White House to be at the dinner. In this picture, Michaele Salahi poses with Donny Osmond.
Two senators said Sunday authorities should pursue criminal charges against the couple. Democrat Evan Bayh said the government needs to send a " strong deterrent that people just don't do this kind of thing." Republican Jon Kyl said that if the Salahis "didn't tell the truth," they should be "brought to justice." In this picture, Michaele Salahi stand with White House Military Aides.
A TV executive who spoke on condition of anonymity to publicly discuss bookings had told The Associated Press that the couple's representatives had urged networks to "get their bids in" for an interview. A publicist for the couple denies they are "shopping" any interviews or demanding money from television networks to tell their story. In this photo, the two stand next to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
In an e-mailed statement Monday, publicist Mahogany Jones said allegations that the Salahis are "selling" in interview are false and demanded that "this adverse, inaccurate information cease immediately." Network news divisions say they don't pay for interviews. But for eagerly sought interviews in the past, they have offered to pay for access to exclusive material. Here, Michaele Salahi is seen with Star Jones.
Bravo Media has confirmed that Michaele Salahi is being considered as a participant in the upcoming "The Real Housewives of D.C." program and on the day of the dinner was being filmed by the producer of the program. Here, Michaele Salahi poses with Steven Tyler
Michaele and Tareq Salahi were allowed into a White House state dinner even though they were not on the guest list. The Secret Service has apologized for the breakdown in security, and an investigation into possible criminal behavior is ongoing. In this picture, the Salahis are seen with Brian Mcknight.
Michaele Salahi is a reality TV hopeful trying to get on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of D.C." Her and her husband's success in getting into the state dinner without an invitation embarrassed the White House and Secret Service. In this picture Michaele Salahi claims to be at a Washington Redskins cheerleader reunion.
The Secret Service acknowledged its officers never checked whether the couple was on the guest list before letting them onto the White House grounds. But it initially insisted Obama was never endangered by the security breach because the couple, like others at the dinner, had gone through magnetometers. Here the couple is with "Slumdog Millionaire" composer A.R. Rahman.
When it became clear the couple had interacted with Obama and Vice President Joe Biden during the event, Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan said the agency that protects the president is "deeply concerned and embarrassed." Sullivan said that while an investigation continues, the agency has taken measures to ensure the oversight is not repeated. Here the couple is seen with Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y.
Casey Margenau, a friend of the Salahis, said the two "spent Friday with the Secret Service and they have been cooperating." Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan refused Sunday to provide information on the investigation or comment on the reports. In this picture the Salahis are seen with Illinois Sen. Roland Burris.
It is unclear what the couple told officers at the checkpoint that allowed them to go through the security screening. The Salahis' lawyer, Paul Gardner, posted a comment on the couple's Facebook page saying his clients were cleared by the White House to be at the dinner. In this picture, Michaele Salahi poses with Vice President Joe Biden for a second time.
Two senators said Sunday authorities should pursue criminal charges against the couple. Democrat Evan Bayh said the government needs to send a "strong deterrent that people just don't do this kind of thing." Republican Jon Kyl said that if the Salahis "didn't tell the truth," they should be "brought to justice." Here the couple poses in the tent on the White House lawn where the state dinner took place.
A TV executive who spoke on condition of anonymity to publicly discuss bookings had told The Associated Press that the couple's representatives had urged networks to "get their bids in" for an interview. A publicist for the couple denies they are "shopping" any interviews or demanding money from television networks to tell their story. In this picture the Salahis are with Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine.
In an e-mailed statement Monday, publicist Mahogany Jones said allegations that the Salahis are "selling" in interview are false and demanded that "this adverse, inaccurate information cease immediately." Network news divisions say they don't pay for interviews. Here the couple poses with Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty.
Bravo Media has confirmed that Michaele Salahi is being considered as a participant in the upcoming "The Real Housewives of D.C." program and that on the day of the dinner was she being filmed by Half Yard Productions, the producer of the program.