US | apnewsbreak: Gate crashers spur WH security change : Jhoni.com

apnewsbreak: Gate crashers spur WH security change

Dec 1, 2009 @ 03:35 PM, US, Eileen Sullivan

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FILE - In this Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 file photo, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, right, arrive at a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in Washington. This time, the picture is the story. After the Secret Service insisted that President Barack Obama was never endangered by a security breach that allowed a couple to crash his first state dinner, the White House has released a photo showing that not only did the pair get close to Obama, they actually shook hands and talked to him. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, file)

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WASHINGTON — The Secret Service will change some of its screening policies after an attention-hungry couple was able to crash the Obama administration's first state dinner.

A government official familiar with the plans says from now on, a staff member from the White House social office will work with the Secret Service at the gates where people check in to attend official events at the president's residence.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because there is an ongoing investigation into the Nov. 24 incident.

The couple who got into the White House state dinner for the visiting Indian prime minister without invitations insists they were invited to the dinner.

The White House says the president and first lady were angered by the incident.

Source: The Associated Press

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