Kimberly Guilfoyle’s lavish Greece lifestyle faces scrutiny as State Department probe opens

WASHINGTON, DC: Kimberly Guilfoyle is facing a formal State Department inspector general investigation over allegations of workplace abuse, questionable perks and her conduct as US ambassador to Greece.

Five sources confirmed the probe to the Daily Mail, with allegations reportedly involving private flights, potential substance abuse, improper gifts and ties to an energy and construction company. The investigation follows complaints from staff at the US Embassy in Athens and growing scrutiny of Guilfoyle's reported lifestyle, including luxury travel and lavish parties. Congressional Democrats have also called for answers about her conduct and whether she remains fit for office.

Kimberly Guilfoyle faces probe over alleged embassy outbursts

Three sources told the Daily Mail that the Department of State Office of Inspector General (OIG) is examining allegations surrounding Guilfoyle's behavior, travel and acceptance of gifts.

The investigation reportedly began after internal complaints at the Athens embassy escalated.

One insider familiar with the complaints said, "You receive enough complaints and you open up an investigation. That is the way this works." The source added, "Hopefully this shakes her."

Sources have described the embassy as a toxic workplace, alleging that Guilfoyle verbally abused subordinates and threatened to fire staff.

One person familiar with her behavior told the Daily Mail, "When you are a political appointee like she is, you have to do your very best to perform inside the system walls and she is doing the complete opposite of that."

Greek sources also alleged that Guilfoyle repeatedly warned employees.

One reported incident took place in Mykonos over the summer. According to sources, Guilfoyle was drinking at around 4 am when she called a sleeping security officer, Vasili, to bring her more ice cubes.

The following day, he was reportedly demoted from his position as agent in charge to a follow-car assignment.

Two other drivers, Petros and Dimitris, were also allegedly demoted because Guilfoyle disliked how they made a left turn, according to two sources. Diplomats noted that embassy drivers are trained in the United States and paid for with taxpayer money.

Sources further described meetings involving the Hellenic Police Department and all 16 members of her security detail following concerns about staff turnover and alleged verbal abuse.

Kimberly Guilfoyle's private flights and lavish parties draw scrutiny

The investigation follows reports of Guilfoyle's lavish lifestyle in Greece, including private aircraft, parties with Greek billionaires and pop stars, champagne demands, a private photographer and an unpaid dining bill.

She reportedly arrived in Athens on a billionaire's private jet and organized large welcome parties featuring a famous Greek pop star, using her State Department email account for RSVPs.

In July, she was spotted drinking champagne and eating grapes at Nammos, an exclusive club on Mykonos, before flying to Paris for Fashion Week the following day.

Her relationship with energy lobbyist Christos Marafatsos is another focus of concern.

Congressional Democrats have questioned whether Guilfoyle used her position to advance energy deals involving corporate clients, gave Marafatsos access to high-level diplomatic meetings or accepted luxury travel aboard private aircraft.

Lawmakers have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to investigate the allegations, requesting meeting logs, personal financial disclosures and records authorizing flights. They have also called for her removal if ethical violations are confirmed.

Separately, text messages obtained by the Wall Street Journal reportedly show Guilfoyle pressing Trump donor Eric Deters to pay her $100,000 American Express bill before her ambassadorial confirmation.

Guilfoyle also reportedly dismissed ethics manager Ann-Marie Everitt after a dispute over funding for renovations at the ambassador's residence, known as the Jefferson House.

The renovations allegedly included work on the entire upstairs and new bathrooms, funded by private money raised from affluent Greeks.

Marco Rubio declines to address Kimberly Guilfoyle investigation

Guilfoyle's lawyer, Jesse Binnall, declined to comment directly on the investigation, citing a standard policy against discussing internal matters.

He said, "Any implication of wrongdoing by the Ambassador is unsupported," and referred the Daily Mail to the State Department OIG.

The inspector general's office said it could not "confirm, deny, or comment on investigative matters." The State Department did not respond to a request for comment.

The controversy followed Guilfoyle to Athens International Airport late Tuesday night, where she warmly greeted Rubio alongside Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Greek Ambassador Antonis Alexandridis.

Rubio arrived for the sixth round of the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue, focused on defense, energy and regional security.

When asked about reports concerning Guilfoyle during a press conference on Wednesday, he declined to address the matter, saying, "This is not the forum where we're going to address this."

President Donald Trump nominated Guilfoyle for the ambassadorship in December 2024, and she received Senate confirmation the following September.

Insiders reportedly warned her to behave appropriately after her appointment, but questions about her lifestyle and conduct have continued.

Trump also bypassed Greece on his return from the NATO summit in Turkey in July, leaving Guilfoyle's promises of a presidential visit unfulfilled.