Scrutiny focusing on US ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, in the wake of allegations by a Trump donor, claims of private-aircraft travel and criticism of her diplomatic activities, generated a detailed written response on Monday by her attorneys.
The claims against the one-time close adviser to US President Donald Trump and former political pundit were picked up by the press and prompted calls for investigations in Washington.
Eric Deters, a Trump donor and former congressional candidate, alleged that Guilfoyle sought payment in exchange for access to senior administration officials. Her attorneys deny the allegations, describing the dispute as an unpaid contractual debt for speaking engagements and consulting work completed before she entered government service.
The attorneys also rejected criticism over Guilfoyle’s travel, saying she sought and followed State Department guidance and complied with federal ethics, gift and reporting requirements.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiling a new embassy sign alongside US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Athens, Greece (INTIME NEWS)
Separately, questions have been raised over reports that Greek corporate executives funded private-aircraft travel and luxury accommodation for the high-profile ambassador.
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Reports of remarks attributed to Guilfoyle about political developments in Greece and Romania, allegedly made last March during a dinner, have also drawn criticism.
The following statement was released by Guilfoyle’s attorneys, Jesse Binnall and David M. Schwartz, in response to the allegations.
Statement by Guilfoyle’s Attorneys
“Eric Deters owes Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle approximately $150,000 for speeches and consulting work she performed for him long before she was nominated to serve as Ambassador. Mr. Deters has gone on national television to recast a contractual dispute as wrongdoing, and to attack not only Ambassador Guilfoyle but President Trump and other high-profile members of the administration. His own words and contract that Deters signed, show that his statements are false.
“Before entering government service, Kimberly Guilfoyle was an accomplished attorney, a former prosecutor in San Francisco and Los Angeles, a national television personality, and one of the most prominent political advocates for President Trump in the country. She was in demand as a keynote speaker and as a strategic communications and fundraising advisor, work she set aside entirely upon entering public service. People paid for her time because of who she is and what she has accomplished. Eric Deters was one of them.
“Mr. Deters hired Ms. Guilfoyle to headline his Kentucky “Freedom Fest” events, which he staged to build his own profile ahead of his campaigns for Governor of Kentucky and for Congress. On May 20, 2024, he signed a written General Service Agreement with a third party booking agency entrusted with booking and collecting fees on her behalf, calling for a flat fee of $200,000 payable by May 31, 2024. Additional speaking engagements and consulting work were arranged either directly, and Mr. Deters agreed to pay for strategic communications and fundraising consulting services that Ms. Guilfoyle performed. That agreement was witnessed by a third party who has attested to it under oath.
“Mr. Deters did not honor these obligations. He missed the contractual payment deadline and then, over a period of many months, sent irregular partial wires accompanied by a steady stream of reasons for the nonpayment. His own text messages blame his business partner, blame his lawyers, and describe himself as “a cash strapped millionaire.” Ms. Guilfoyle extended him grace repeatedly. In the end, he paid some of what he owed and simply never paid the rest. Approximately $150,000 for speeches delivered and consulting performed in 2024 and early 2025 remains unpaid to this day. That is what Mr. Deters now calls a “quid pro quo”: a delinquent client being asked to pay an overdue bill.
“When Ms. Guilfoyle was preparing to leave private life for public service, she did what any professional does and tried to close out her outstanding receivables. Asking a client to pay for work already done is not corruption. It is the opposite of corruption.
“Mr. Deters has told reporters that he paid Ms. Guilfoyle for speaking appearances, that “I overpaid, but I didn’t care because I was nurturing my relationship in Trump world,” and that he offered her $1 million to help publicize and promote his private medical malpractice litigation and to bring it to the attention of Administration officials. She refused. He has admitted that he never paid the outstanding balance and that he received nothing from her.
“Reports regarding the Ambassador’s travel are equally misleading. Before using any private aircraft, Ambassador Guilfoyle sought, obtained and followed State Department guidance and followed the Department’s travel regulations. She has complied with applicable federal ethics, gift, and reporting requirements, as the Embassy has already confirmed.
“Since making history on November 4, 2025, as the first woman to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle has made American energy leadership and the advancement of U.S. energy security interests across Europe defining priorities of her tenure under President Trump, championing American energy expansion, strengthening the U.S.–Greece strategic partnership, and advancing U.S. energy dominance throughout Europe and the Vertical Corridor.
“Ambassador Guilfoyle has served, and will continue to serve, with integrity, honor and distinction. We are evaluating all available legal remedies to collect this debt and any other potential causes of action.”