WASHINGTON, DC –
Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called on the Department of State Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to launch an immediate investigation into U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle’s reported dealings with a foreign company and a political donor, according to a press release issued by his office.
In a separate letter, Meeks requested that Guilfoyle appear before Committee Members to answer questions under oath.
The investigation request follows Wall Street Journal reports that Guilfoyle gave a foreign company’s lobbyist access to official meetings, promoted the company’s commercial interests, and accepted company-sponsored private air travel. The Journal also reported that, while her nomination was pending, Guilfoyle requested $100,000 from political donor Eric Deters to cover personal debt while seeking intervention by senior Trump administration officials in his tax and legal matters.
“The reported messages between Ambassador Guilfoyle and Mr. Deters demonstrate that the Ambassador sought to conceal the source of the payment by arranging an anonymous wire transfer and that she repeatedly admonished Mr. Deters not to put any details of their financial arrangement in writing”, Meeks said in a press release. “While Mr. Deters claims he ultimately did not transfer the requested $100,000, it must be determined whether Ambassador Guilfoyle solicited funds from any other source”.
Meeks asked OIG to investigate potential violations of federal law, Department regulations, and ethics requirements, including conflicts of interest and abuse of authority.
“Together, these reports paint a disturbing picture of an ambassador using her official position and access to senior political appointees to advance the private interests of those willing to pay”, Meeks stated.
The letters follow Meeks’ October 1 request for answers from Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Amb. Guilfoyle’s reported conduct. He has also called for her removal should these allegations be substantiated.
The full text of Meeks’ letter to the State Department’s Office of Inspector General can be viewed here, while his letter to Ambassador Guilfoyle is available here.
The full text of Meeks’ letter to the State Department’s Office of Inspector General can be viewed here while his letter to Ambassador Guilfoyle is available here.
