US ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle has resigned from her role following a series of allegations about her conduct.
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“While my time as Ambassador may be coming to an end, my commitment to President Trump, the America First movement, and the country I love will never end,” she wrote in a lengthy post on social media on Tuesday.
New White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia said earlier in the day that Guilfoyle had been asked to resign.
“We have asked ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team and we wish her well,” Zacharia told reporters.
The move follows a series of articles published in the Wall Street Journal alleging questionable conduct by Guilfoyle, including a threat against a Greek official, the acceptance of inappropriate gifts and services, as well as an offer to use her influence within the administration in exchange for the settlement of a large credit card bill.
In her post on Tuesday, Guilfoyle said she also wanted to “address the recent allegations against me.”
“These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity,” she wrote. “I have dedicated my professional life to fighting for justice, standing up for what is right, and defending the values that make America exceptional. I will not allow false accusations to define my decades of public service.”
US President Donald Trump had said on Monday that his administration was “looking at” firing Guilfoyle and that they were “not happy” with the situation.
Guilfoyle previously responded to the allegations against her through her lawyers, rejecting claims made by American businessman and former political candidate Eric Deters.
The statement said that Deters owed her around $150,000 for speeches and consulting services and that Guilfoyle had previously turned down a $1 million proposal from Deters to promote a private legal case.
Regarding accusations of accepting gifts and travelling on private jets, her lawyers argued that the ambassador had requested and received guidance from the State Department and had fully complied with ethics rules and provisions governing the acceptance of gifts.
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