Lawyer: Couple didn't 'crash' state dinner

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- A Virginia couple who apparently intruded at a White House state dinner did not "crash" the event, their lawyer said through a publicist Thursday.

A publicist for Tareq and Michaele Salahi, described as aspiring reality TV stars, issued a statement to The New York Times saying the couple's lawyer, Paul Gardner, "states emphatically that the Salahis' did not 'crash' this event."

"We look forward to setting the record straight very soon," the statement said.

However, a White House official told the newspaper the couple were not invited.

The Times reported Thursday the couple's foray into the state dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday was filmed by a crew working for producers of "The Real Housewives of D.C."

Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said Wednesday an investigation into how the couple managed to get into the event initially focused on "a Secret Service checkpoint that did not follow proper procedures." However, he said no one at the dinner "was under any risk or threat."

"Everyone who enters the White House grounds goes through magnetometers and several other levels of screenings," Donovan said.

Ronald Kessler, author of "In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect," said "it's crazy" to say such screenings offer proper protection.

"A serial killer or terrorist or agent of Iran or North Korea could come in and release anthrax, for instance, and that's not going to show up in a metal detector," he told the Times.

Kessler said threats against the U.S. president have increased 400 percent since former President George W. Bush was in office, so presidential security should be even more vigilant.

The White House and the Secret Service are investigating the incident.