Source: AP
Kimberly Guilfoyle has resigned as the United States ambassador to Greece following weeks of allegations about her conduct, including claims that she sought personal financial assistance from a political donor in exchange for access to senior administration officials.
The resignation was announced on Tuesday after the Trump administration indicated it wanted her to leave the post. Guilfoyle, a former television presenter and prosecutor, has denied wrongdoing and said she will vigorously defend herself against the accusations.
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia confirmed the development during her first media briefing, describing Guilfoyle as a valuable member of the administration and wishing her well.
President Donald Trump had expressed dissatisfaction with the reports a day earlier, telling reporters that his administration was examining the situation and was unhappy with what had emerged. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had initially defended the ambassador, also faced questions about the allegations during a visit to Athens.
The controversy has attracted attention in Greece because the claims concern the conduct of Washington’s chief diplomatic representative in the country, as well as alleged attempts to influence Greek political and commercial affairs.
Financial allegations and diplomatic conduct
Reports published by The Wall Street Journal since late September have described several incidents involving Guilfoyle before and during her time in Athens.
One of the most serious allegations concerns a reported request for a Trump donor to cover a $100,000 credit card bill shortly before her confirmation hearing. According to the newspaper, Guilfoyle offered the donor access to officials within the administration in return for the payment.
Her lawyers, David Schwartz and Jesse Binnall, rejected that account of wrongdoing in a statement issued on Sunday. They said the money she sought represented payment for public appearances and speaking engagements arranged before her nomination, for which she had not received compensation.
The lawyers also denied impropriety over Guilfoyle’s use of private aircraft, saying she had obtained and followed guidance from the State Department and complied with its travel rules before each trip.
Other allegations include claims that Guilfoyle accepted improper gifts and services, threatened a Greek official and promoted the commercial interests of a Greek construction and energy company. The Journal also reported that a lobbyist connected to the company was permitted to attend private diplomatic meetings.
A separate report described her anger at being excluded from a Greek-themed event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, earlier this year. It also referred to luxury travel in France involving energy company executives.
The Daily Mail, a British tabloid, separately reported that Guilfoyle had alienated staff at the US Embassy in Athens and had pushed the limits of conduct expected of a senior American diplomat.
All of these claims remain allegations, and Guilfoyle has denied engaging in improper conduct.
Inspector general scrutiny
A US official said the State Department’s inspector general was examining the allegations. It remains unclear whether the office has opened a formal investigation.
Inspector general offices can begin by assessing complaints informally before deciding whether a full investigation is warranted. A formal inquiry could lead to disciplinary measures, including dismissal, depending on the findings.
The State Department has declined to comment on whether a formal investigation is under way.
Several senior Democrats in Congress have called for an investigation. They include Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Jeanne Shaheen, the leading Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Robert Garcia, the senior Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.
Rubio initially defended Guilfoyle, describing her last week as a strong ambassador. However, he became visibly frustrated with reporters who questioned him about the allegations before departing Athens on Thursday.
He said he could not confirm whether the reports were true and rejected the suggestion that claims published by the media should automatically be accepted as fact.
Guilfoyle was present as Rubio prepared to leave the country.
Political pressure in Greece
The allegations have also prompted a response from Greek opposition politicians, who called on the Foreign Ministry to summon Guilfoyle and seek an explanation.
Sia Anagnostopoulou, a former deputy foreign minister, told parliament on Friday that the issue concerned Greece’s national dignity.
Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis responded that Guilfoyle had been treated in the same manner as other ambassadors and argued that there had been no need to summon her formally.
The Greek government and cabinet members had not immediately commented on the US announcement of her resignation.
The reports about Guilfoyle’s conduct first emerged several weeks ago. One account alleged that she had told guests at a reception that the United States could undermine the Greek government if it chose to do so.
The claims about her alleged promotion of a private company’s interests and access for its lobbyist have added to questions about the separation between diplomatic responsibilities and private commercial interests.
From television to diplomacy
Guilfoyle previously worked as a prosecutor in California and became a familiar face on Fox News Channel. She was once married to Gavin Newsom, the Democratic governor of California, and later became engaged to Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son.
Her departure ends a diplomatic appointment that has come under sustained scrutiny in Washington and Athens. The allegations have also prompted questions about whether the State Department will pursue a formal inquiry, even after her resignation.
Guilfoyle has maintained that she did nothing wrong and intends to defend herself against the claims.
