Obama crashers risk charges
Tuesday December 01 2009
TWO US senators have urged police to pursue criminal charges against the Virginia couple who last week managed to crash a White House state dinner.
"You've got to send a strong deterrent that people just don't do this kind of thing," Democrat senator Evan Bayh said.
And Republican Jon Kyl said: "If it's a federal crime to lie to a federal agent, and these people didn't tell the truth about their invitation, then they should be in some way brought to justice here as an example to others not to do it."
According to authorities, Michaele and Tareq Salahi were allowed into the White House dinner for the Indian prime minister on Tuesday night, even though they were not on the guest list.
The Secret Service was forced to apologise for the breakdown in security and an investigation into possible criminal behaviour is taking place.
"It's an incredible situation," said Mr Bayh.
"I mean, of course, people have been laughing about it ... but it's not a laughing matter that people could get that close to the president and the vice president who aren't supposed to be there."
Casey Margenau, a friend of the Salahis, said: "I understand that they spent Friday with the Secret Service and they have been co-operating."
The New York Times, citing an anonymous government official, reported that the Secret Service interviews with the Salahis continued through Saturday.
Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan refused to provide further information on the investigation.
Irish Independent
