Secret Service Agent Fired for Security Breach at Obamas' Residence: Memoir
A former Secret Service agent faced firing for a severe security breach involving a former girlfriend and unauthorized access to former President Barack Obama's Hawaii beach house, according to a new memoir.
The memoir by Koryeah Dwanyen, Undercover Heartbreak: a Memoir of Trust and Trauma, details how the Secret Service officer compromised his position by sharing sensitive information and orchestrating improper access to the Obamas' residence in 2022, as ABC News reports.
In the memoir, Dwanyen shares an account of the agent, referred to by the pseudonym "Dale," inviting her to the heavily secured Obama beachfront property in Hawaii during the family's absence.
This visit occurred after an intriguing courtship during their initial meeting in Martha’s Vineyard, where the agent had been part of the security detail for the Obamas.
Former Agent Shared Sensitive Details
Dwanyen recounts that "Dale" sent her several photographs of the Obama residence days before her arrival. The agent suggested they could engage in intimate activities in the first lady’s bathroom, a notion he equated with the thrill of the "mile-high club," a term typically used for those who engage in amorous activities on a plane.
This breach prompted the U.S. Secret Service to conduct an internal investigation. Their communications chief, Anthony Guglielmi, confirmed an incident where the agent allowed an unauthorized visitor into a protector's residence without the necessary permissions, leading to his suspension.
The visit on Nov. 6, 2022, led to "Dale's" suspension and subsequent termination after Dwanyen reported discomfort about the agent's conduct to his superior. Despite the Obamas not being at the Hawaii location during this incident, Guglielmi underscored the seriousness of such a breach.
Official Investigation Confirmed Breach
"The U.S. Secret Service’s top priority is the safety and security of our protectees," Guglielmi told ABC News. "Any actions that compromise this commitment are taken very seriously."
He went on to highlight the agent's actions were inexcusable breaches of trust and violated the protocols and ethos of the Secret Service.
Dwanyen learned that Dale was not truthful about his marital status, a revelation that occurred after she confronted him about various red flags she had observed.
The agent's oversharing included "personal tidbits" and classified details about his protective duties, including information about various protectees' private schedules and personal routines.
An anonymous agent later remarked on Dale's excessive sharing, one that left Dwanyen informed about the Obamas' intricate daily activities.
"I knew what day Orange Theory was, what day [Michelle Obama] had private tennis lessons," Dwanyen disclosed during the Secret Service's Inspection Division interview.
Breach Results in Termination
Dwanyen's friend humorously remarked that she was a "walking national security risk" due to how much she had been told, reiterating the gravity of the agent's indiscretion. Eventually, Dwanyen's initiative to report these concerns to Dale's superiors resulted in a comprehensive interview with the Secret Service that lasted nearly four hours.
The investigation, corroborated by findings within the memoir, found the agent responsible for violating conduct policies. His choice to prioritize personal romantic pursuits over professional obligations ultimately led to his dismissal from the agency.
The story, detailed in Dwanyen's memoir released late last month, draws attention to continuous scrutiny surrounding the Secret Service and serves as a reminder of the importance of strict adherence to security protocols.
This breach stands alongside earlier publicized lapses, contributing to the ongoing narrative of challenges faced by the institution in maintaining stringent security and confidentiality standards.
Memoir Sheds Light on Security Protocol Failures
Through her narrative, Dwanyen exposes troubling lapses and the personal dynamics that can influence professional roles within the high-stakes responsibilities of the Secret Service.
Readers and officials alike are left questioning the impact of such personal indiscretions on national security, highlighting the need for more rigorous oversight and accountability measures in the future.