A Secret Service agent tasked with protecting former President Barack Obama has been dismissed after an alleged breach of protocol involving his girlfriend and highly sensitive details about the Obama family’s private residence. According to Undercover Heartbreak A Memoir of Trust and Trauma, a self-published memoir by Koryeah Dwanyen, the girlfriend of the agent, the officer known in her book only as “Dale”allegedly invited her to the Obamas’ Hawaii beach house and even suggested they engage in intimate activities in Michelle Obama’s private bathroom.
Dwanyen shares in her memoir that “Dale” sent her multiple photographs of the luxurious beachfront property a week prior to the visit, sparking concerns about the potential security breach. The incident reportedly took place on November 6, 2022, while the Obamas were away from their Hawaiian home. Dwanyen recounts that Dale was serving on Obama’s security detail at the time and had originally met her during her vacation on Martha’s Vineyard earlier that year. Their relationship reportedly evolved, leading to the moment when Dale invited her to the former president’s residence, an action that would later cost him his career. In an excerpt from the memoir, Dwanyen claims Dale encouraged her to visit the property, assuring her that
“no one will know but I’m the one who could get in trouble. We should have sex in Michelle bathroom, like a mile-high club,”
In addition to sharing sensitive details about the Obamas, Dale allegedly disclosed further classified information about other high-profile individuals and former protectees. Dwanyen recalls that he gave her information about the Obamas’ routines, including when Michelle Obama attended personal training sessions, tennis lessons, and fitness classes. Such details, though seemingly trivial, could pose a substantial security risk, revealing the patterns and routines of a high-profile individual.
According to Dwanyen, this wasn’t the only instance in which Dale breached protocol. He allegedly shared images of the private homes of other prominent figures, such as Alicia Keys, and Steven Spielberg’s yacht, as well as information about Tyler Perry, Melinda Gates, and Amal Clooney. He also reportedly shared background details about former Vice President Mike Pence, to whom he was assigned during the Trump administration. These alleged actions indicate a pattern of compromising the privacy and security of his assignments, potentially undermining the trust integral to his role as a Secret Service agent.
Alarmed by Dale’s disregard for security protocols and his willingness to share such confidential information, Dwanyen eventually reached out to his supervisors. She shared her concerns about his actions, which she felt represented a betrayal of both the Secret Service’s values and his duty to protect. This led to an investigation by the Secret Service’s Office of Professional Responsibility, specifically by the Inspection Division, which is tasked with handling misconduct and safeguarding agency integrity.
Following Dwanyen’s report, the Secret Service launched a thorough investigation into Dale’s conduct. Based on the evidence gathered, the agency decided to take swift and decisive action. According to Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the Secret Service, the agent was initially suspended and, after a complete investigation, terminated from his position. Guglielmi stated that the agency responded immediately upon discovering the breach, underscoring their commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards within the organization.
The firing of this agent highlights the strict accountability measures within the Secret Service, particularly when it comes to maintaining confidentiality and trust. The Secret Service is an organization bound by rigorous ethical standards, where even minor violations can have significant consequences due to the high stakes involved in protecting current and former government officials and their families. This incident serves as a reminder of the profound responsibility held by those in positions of trust and the seriousness with which breaches of protocol are treated. The implications of Dale’s actions extend beyond his career, raising concerns about the safeguards needed to protect high-profile figures in an age where privacy and confidentiality are increasingly at risk.
