White House Crashers Michaele and Tareq Salahi May Face Criminal Charges, Says Secret Service

By: Neil Katz
Topics: Daily Blotter

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WASHINGTON (CBS/AP) America's most successful party crashers, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, who stormed the gates of a White House state dinner and somehow managed to get in, may soon be facing criminal charges, according to the Secret Service.

PICTURES: White House Crashers Celebrity Pals

Secret Service spokesman Jim Mackin says the agency is moving closer to beginning a criminal investigation. He says that's one reason the Secret Service hasn't yet explained what happened when Michaele and Tareq Salahi arrived at the security checkpoint Tuesday for the dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Salahi's came to national attention when they posted photos of themselves attending the White House event on their public Facebook account. In the images, Michaele Salahi, 44, a former Washington Redskins cheerleader, and her 41-year-old husband, Tareq Salahi, who is co-founder of the Land Rover America's Polo Cup and heir to a Virginia winery, can be seen glad-handing with politicians, journalists, and even a group of Marines.

In one picture, the happy couple appears with Vice President Joe Biden. The couple did not post any images of themselves with President Barack Obama or Michele Obama.

The couple is being considered for the upcoming reality show "The Real Housewives of D.C." on Bravo and on the day of the dinner, Michaele Salahi was being filmed around Washington, according to Bravo Media.

As for the criminal investigation into how the glamour happy couple wound their way into a high-security White House event, Mackin says there's less the Secret Service can say as the probe moves closer to a criminal investigation. He says the agency isn't leaving any options off the table at this point.

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PICTURES: White House Crashers Celebrity Pals
POLITICAL HOTSHEET - Salahis Accused of Crashing Congressional Black Caucus Dinner

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November 30, 2009 - White House Crashers Michaele and Tareq Salahi Should Be "Brought to Justice," Says Senator
November 27, 2009 - White House Crashers Michaele and Tareq Salahi May Face Criminal Charges, Says Secret Service

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by chelletini December 3, 2009 9:16 AM EST: I think that they were invited by someone in the office. I really believe that they would not have gotten past the first security check if they were not on a "list".... please. this is an event hosted for the president.; Reply to this comment


by Bill_HollyWood December 1, 2009 12:23 AM EST: So would you like to hear the perspective of a couple that regularly crashes some of the biggest Vegas parties?

First off - Kudos to these two for pulling the crash of the decade. They seemed like they belonged so well that no one doubted that they didn't belong. They were so brazenly obvious about it too. LOL I'd bet that everyone remembered them as that great couple that had so much fun. I'd even go so far as to speculate that everyone that attended had a better time because of the social entertainment and positive energy that all great crashers bring to the party.

These people had no malicious intent to hurt anyone so we should stop the fear mongering please. Yes...ANYONE could have harmed the president that attended or serviced the party. They were also subjected to the same level of security that EVERY person that gets next to the president does. I'm fairly certain that the secret service verified that they were who they said they were and that they had no weapons. Beyond that, they also ask questions and expertly read body language to know if someone is being genuine.

Really...everyone...did they actually get anything past the secret service...no. They just weren't invited. Besides, I?m sure that State functions are in desperate need of a few people that help the not so social political crowd to have fun without much effort on their part.
Everyone that is demanding jail time for this couple...kindly explain to me why what they did gives anyone the right to put them in the same category as other crimes that you'd expect one would go to jail for. Better yet...was any crime committed at all? Everyone look inside of yourselves and ask if you're just angry cause they tried and succeeded in something that most would never dare try.

As far as our weekend was concerned...let's see...Body English with Tony Romo and the boys. We had the table next to them. Crashed a penthouse after party at Palms Place. Glass hot tub 58 floors up and even though we crashed, were invited back next week cause we were that much fun. Guess you have to put us in jail too.

I would like to concluded by offering that there are far more important issues in this world than who snuck into a state dinner...I promise. Why is it that we as Americans seem to desire to be distracted from these issues. We'd much rather talk about that than the fact that actual people on both sides are dying every day in two wars that we have committed upon two countries. Justifiable wars or not...let's spend our time creating solutions to the seemly impossible problems that exist in the world today.

Bill and Holly Wood

PS. Think our story is BS. Call the Hard Rock and ask who was in the table next to Tony last Friday nite. There was only one table next to his. I guarantee you'll love the answer.; Reply to this comment


by jeemar2003-yahoo.com November 30, 2009 11:26 AM EST: Dear Sir:

I understand the couples zeal to earn money and fame; however, the misuse of the United States airways, White House, the United States time and money that could be used for things to help the U.S. and world should not go unpunished. They are acting like children. It is a complete breach of protocol, ethics, safety and security of the American people and a distain for authority of people who are being paid to protect the White House. Not only should there not be any further positive coverage of them; they should be barred from any airway, any public displays of entertainment or mention of their names except to tell the American people and the world what action was taken to punish them to include fines and prisonment. They should also be forced to tell how they found out about entering the White House and those people associated with them also investigated.

After being released from prison, they should be followed closely and investigate every move they make from this day forward. This couple obviously had help if not recently; previously, in their association with other interactions with politcal and entertainment figures. I am completely appauled at the lengths that people such as these go to inorder to infiltrate things that should be considered untouchable if not sacred. They should not be paid to go on T.V. to further exploit the American people, they should be forced to pay for the time it took to cover their childish behavior.

We are in the business of making history and how will our textbooks read on how we have been attacked within our boundaries and then a complete disregard for authority allowing further attacks. Please, please, please let this comment be read and seen by someone who can actually do something about it.

Doris; Reply to this comment


by jeemar2003-yahoo.com November 30, 2009 11:25 AM EST: Dear Sir:

I understand the couples zeal to earn money and fame; however, the misuse of the United States airways, White House, the United States time and money that could be used for things to help the U.S. and world should not go unpunished. They are acting like children. It is a complete breach of protocol, ethics, safety and security of the American people and a distain for authority of people who are being paid to protect the White House. Not only should there not be any further positive coverage of them; they should be barred from any airway, any public displays of entertainment or mention of their names except to tell the American people and the world what action was taken to punish them to include fines and prisonment. They should also be forced to tell how they found out about entering the White House and those people associated with them also investigated.

After being released from prison, they should be followed closely and investigate every move they make from this day forward. This couple obviously had help if not recently; previously, in their association with other interactions with politcal and entertainment figures. I am completely appauled at the lengths that people such as these go to inorder to infiltrate things that should be considered untouchable if not sacred. They should not be paid to go on T.V. to further exploit the American people, they should be forced to pay for the time it took to cover their childish behavior.

We are in the business of making history and how will our textbooks read on how we have been attacked within our boundaries and then a complete disregard for authority allowing further attacks. Please, please, please let this comment be read and seen by someone who can actually do something about it.

Doris; Reply to this comment


by AOCGUY November 30, 2009 10:21 AM EST: by sonofsummarex November 29, 2009 12:46 PM EST
OK
So let's repay the favour by providing the two of them free room and board for maybe 10 years.

Why? What crime would you charge them with? If anything thye inadvertantly highlighted a potential vunerability with the President's Secret Service detail.; Reply to this comment


by corona001500 November 30, 2009 9:03 AM EST: These people are just after the fame and glory and obviously the money that comes along with this. Give them what they want by giving them the fame and glory of spending the next 10 years in jail and the money that they will get by working in jail. This needs to be stopped right now and they need to be thrown in jail for a long long time. And shame on any TV network that pays them a dime for this. They broke the law, lied to get by the security. So they were trespassing and who knows what their intent was, so book them on reckless endangerment. Actually just take them out back and shoot them, that would solve this and future problems. It is people like this who ruin everything because they think that the rules don't apply to them. Send them to court, send them to jail and forget who they are. The are just looking for their 2 minutes of fame and the stupid media is drawn in again by people who are bigger idiots than the media is.; Reply to this comment


by cbsblogger November 29, 2009 7:41 PM EST: If they don't face criminal charges then something is drastically wrong with our criminal justice system, and it will only create create more dangerous posers. Deterrence is a major objective. They need jailed for 5 years.; Reply to this comment


by armyoftwelve November 29, 2009 7:35 PM EST: What do these people do for a living???????????; Reply to this comment


by djseavy November 29, 2009 1:30 PM EST: The one and ONLY reason there are charges being considered is that the Secret Service needs to throw the attention off themselves. We'll never hear the real story, as it will be buried to make the SS look good. Truth is, they failed AGAIN to do their job. This reminds me of the day Kennedy was shot. The SS was busy protecting Jackie while JFK took the bullets. What a bunch of inept idiots.; Reply to this comment