The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Inspector General has opened a formal investigation into U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle following multiple internal complaints alleging misconduct and improper conduct at the U.S. Embassy in Athens. The probe was confirmed by five sources familiar with the matter and follows extensive reporting on Guilfoyle’s tenure, including allegations of substance abuse, excessive corporate perks, improper gift acceptance, and close ties to private entities.
The investigation was initiated after complaints escalated to a breaking point within the embassy, according to sources in Greece. ‘You receive enough complaints and you open up an investigation. That is the way this works,’ an insider familiar with the complaints told reporters. The Office of Inspector General has not publicly commented on the specifics of the probe.
Separately, a Wall Street Journal report cited text messages showing Guilfoyle requested a $100,000 payment from a Trump donor to cover an American Express bill just before her confirmation as ambassador. The donor, identified as Eric Deters, was reportedly promised access to administration officials in exchange for the payment. Guilfoyle’s legal representative, Jesse Binnall, declined to comment on the allegations, stating that Guilfoyle does not comment on ‘internal matters’ as a standard policy. Binnall added that ‘any implication of wrongdoing by the Ambassador is unsupported.’
State Department Response and Political Reactions
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio refused to address the allegations during a press briefing in Greece, stating that he would not discuss reports from unnamed sources. ‘You guys walk around thinking that because some source told you something and you reported it, it's the gospel. It's not the gospel for me,’ Rubio said. He acknowledged awareness of the Wall Street Journal report but declined to confirm its accuracy. Rubio also praised Guilfoyle’s performance as ambassador, stating, ‘Our embassy here is doing a great job. Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador here.’
The top two Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees have called for an investigation into Guilfoyle’s conduct. However, Rubio did not indicate whether the State Department would comply with their request. Congressional Democrats had previously initiated their own review of the allegations reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Allegations and Supporting Details
The State Department’s Office of Inspector General is examining multiple aspects of Guilfoyle’s tenure, including:
- Allegations of substance abuse and excessive use of private planes and helicopters.
- Improper acceptance of gifts and close relationships with an energy and construction company.
- Lavish lifestyle choices, including high-end travel, private photographers, and champagne demands.
- Unpaid dining bills and home renovations funded by embassy resources.
Sources familiar with the complaints described Guilfoyle’s leadership as ‘tyrannical’ and highlighted concerns over her management style. The investigation follows prior reporting by multiple outlets detailing her close ties to Greek billionaires and pop stars, as well as her business relationships with energy lobbyist Christos Marafatsos.
Guilfoyle’s legal team has maintained that no wrongdoing has been substantiated, directing inquiries to the State Department’s Office of Inspector General. The ambassador has not publicly addressed the allegations beyond her standard policy of declining comment on internal matters.