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December 9, 2009

WH party crashers prepared to invoke Fifth Amendment

Posted: 08:51 AM ET

The Virginia couple who slipped through White House security and shook hands with President Obama will invoke the Fifth Amendment, which protects against self-incrimination, if subpoenaed to testify to Congress, according to a letter from the couple's lawyer.

The House Homeland Security Committee is scheduled to vote Wednesday on whether to subpoena Tareq and Michaele Salahi to answer questions about how they gained entry to the White House on November 24 despite not being on the guest list to attend a state dinner for the prime minister of India.

A lawyer for the Salahis sent a letter to the committee Tuesday saying the Salahis will not testify because of a pending federal investigation by the U.S. attorney in Washington, and because of statements made by some members of Congress about the Salahis last week.

"The Salahis must contend not only with vilification by the press, but also with a treacherous legal environment that threatens criminal exposure," the letter from lawyer Stephen Best said.

The letter said the Salahis have cooperated with the U.S. Secret Service during its investigation.

"They have provided documentation, including telephone records and copies of e-mails with a White House official, to the investigating agents," the letter stated.

(Read More)

Filed under: White House


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TRUE -TO-YOU   December 9th, 2009 10:50 am ET

@777,THE GREMLINS STRIKE

THE SOCKS THE GLOVES THEY SPARKLE SO
THE GOLDEN PANTS THAT GOLDEN GLOW
THE RED LEATHER WAY TO COOL
BUT THE WHITE SHIRT AND BLACK PANTS RULE

BE BACK IN SOON


vallary   December 9th, 2009 11:21 am ET

I am sorry what they have done is wrong. If they have all this proof that they were suppose to be there than why did they leave when it came time to eat. we live in a different world now. And people that are out to hurt us come in all different shapes and sizes and colors and back grounds. These two should have never got so close to the president. they didnt' have to bring weapons to the dinner that had a tent full . Get real and start thinking about things. If look over history there has been a lot of sign to all of it. but nobody is looking at the signs , reading them and following through. on the signs that are given


ckelly   December 9th, 2009 2:11 pm ET

There is more to this story than we know.


viola   December 9th, 2009 2:31 pm ET

who made the dress? would like one similar for a blk tie..but not too much glitz ..thank you.


A. Smith, Oregon   December 9th, 2009 7:40 pm ET

For an Attorney to suggest or offer the foreknowledge that their clients would invoke the 5th. if asked to a congressional inquiry is generally a tactic employed to gain immunity for their actions, I hope the Congress doesn't fall for that ploy.

There could be civil suits which are coming down the pipeline against the Salahis and their names could be eventually entered into Crime and Transportation databases as a Security Risk both of which would serve to dog them for the rest of their natural lives.

Nonetheless, if the Salahis are individually summoned to be grilled by a grand jury, they cannot invoke the 5th., nor can their Attorney be (inside) present during their testimony.

IF the Congress wanted to shove back against the Salahis Attorney, they could easily refer the case to a grand jury in the DC area and go from there.


rosey petals   December 9th, 2009 10:30 pm ET

Let's follow this one and see how far it goes. The public has seen that red dress more than the first lady's beautiful designer's gown and she was beautiful on such an important event. These pop ups like that couple and balloon boy are are appearing too timely. What's next, watch out for the next pop up. I am afraid to look.


Joanne   December 10th, 2009 12:35 am ET

It's become a boring story. They should not have entered the party; but like everyone else who entered, they went through all the security checks to ensure they would not be a threat. It's being treated as though they entered with no security measurers. They simply entered without an invitation.


Martin Elias Rivera   December 10th, 2009 1:35 am ET

The president alwals talked abount "the defisis we Inherated " I want to know when he was when Bush was in power , what not him part of the goverment ant the congress?. I belive he is also resposible of what hapenned to the economy . Stop blamming other what he was part of it! Thank you very much!


carl chase   December 10th, 2009 1:37 am ET

No,the president should not have excepted the Nobel peace prize


Raychil   December 10th, 2009 4:16 am ET

These folks are jerks!


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