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Gatecrashers hawk tale to TV networks
Source: Agencies |
November 30, 2009, Monday
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THE couple who crashed United States President Barack Obama's first state dinner are peddling their story to broadcast networks for hundreds of thousands of dollars, a television executive says.
The executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the network does not publicly discuss bookings, told The Associated Press that representatives for Michaele and Tareq Salahi contacted networks to urge them to "get their bids in" for an interview. The executive said the Virginia couple was looking for a payment in the mid-six figures.
Meanwhile, CNN confirmed that the Salahis had canceled an appearance they had scheduled for "Larry King Live" today. Representatives for the couple did not immediately return telephone and e-mail requests for comment.
Michaele Salahi is a reality TV hopeful trying to get on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of DC." Her and her husband's success in getting into the state dinner last Tuesday without an invitation embarrassed the White House and Secret Service.
The agency acknowledged its officers never checked whether the couple were 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 security screens.
When it became clear the couple had interacted with Obama and Vice President Joe Biden during the event, Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan expressed concern and embarrassment. He said that while an investigation continues, the agency has taken measures to ensure the oversight is not repeated.
A White House photo showed the Salahis in the receiving line in the Blue Room with Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in whose honor the dinner was held. Obama and Michaele Salahi are smiling as she grasps his right hand with both of hers and her husband looks on. Singh is to Obama's left.
Agency spokesmen declined to comment on reports that agents had visited the Salahis' vineyard in Hume, Virginia, in search of the couple.
The executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the network does not publicly discuss bookings, told The Associated Press that representatives for Michaele and Tareq Salahi contacted networks to urge them to "get their bids in" for an interview. The executive said the Virginia couple was looking for a payment in the mid-six figures.
Meanwhile, CNN confirmed that the Salahis had canceled an appearance they had scheduled for "Larry King Live" today. Representatives for the couple did not immediately return telephone and e-mail requests for comment.
Michaele Salahi is a reality TV hopeful trying to get on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of DC." Her and her husband's success in getting into the state dinner last Tuesday without an invitation embarrassed the White House and Secret Service.
The agency acknowledged its officers never checked whether the couple were 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 security screens.
When it became clear the couple had interacted with Obama and Vice President Joe Biden during the event, Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan expressed concern and embarrassment. He said that while an investigation continues, the agency has taken measures to ensure the oversight is not repeated.
A White House photo showed the Salahis in the receiving line in the Blue Room with Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in whose honor the dinner was held. Obama and Michaele Salahi are smiling as she grasps his right hand with both of hers and her husband looks on. Singh is to Obama's left.
Agency spokesmen declined to comment on reports that agents had visited the Salahis' vineyard in Hume, Virginia, in search of the couple.
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