Salahis Don't Answer Congress' Questions
White House gate crashers Tareq and Michaele Salahi invoked their U.S. constitutional right against self-incrimination Wednesday, refusing to answer a House committee's questions about their uninvited appearance at a state dinner.
The jet-setting couple repeatedly said they were remaining silent on advice of their lawyer, but that did not prevent members of the Homeland Security Committee from peppering them with questions about how they got through Secret Service checkpoints on Nov. 24.
Tareq Salahi read an opening statement in which he offered to have the couple's lawyers provide information about their appearance at the dinner for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, a Democrat, D-Miss., rejected the offer.
A U.S. jury is investigating the Salahis to learn how they got past the Secret Service, which protects the president, without invitations and shook hands with President Barack Obama.
The Salahis' attorney, Stephen Best, said in an interview prior to the hearing that the couple believed they were invited to an arrival ceremony for the prime minister and the White House receiving line for the dinner.
The couple was auditioning for a reality television show. The White House incident led to an apology from the Secret Service, and three of its officers were placed on administrative leave.
Members of the committee repeatedly told the Salahis that the safety of the president was not a joke, although some of the questions from frustrated committee members were less than serious.
The couple - she dressed in a white jacket and skirt, he in a dark suit - said they would be willing to return and testify after the criminal investigation is finished.
The couple could be charged under statutes that prohibit making false statements to federal agencies or using false pretenses to enter federal property.
Best said his clients "maintain their absolute innocence and have not committed any criminal wrongdoing whatsoever. They will contest any charges."