Ranking Member Shaheen Demands Answers from Secretary Rubio on Conduct of U.S. Ambassador to Greece

WASHINGTON - Last week, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to review allegations that U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, may have improperly advocated on behalf of a foreign company and provided access for a registered lobbyist to attend official U.S. Government meetings.

In the letter, Senator Shaheen outlined concerns that using a U.S. government position to advance private interests has negative consequences for American credibility. The letter calls for an immediate review of Ambassador Guilfoyle's actions and for the State Department to outline what steps have and will be taken to ensure compliance with ethics requirements and avoid any conflicts of interest.

"In recent months, I have been made aware of concerns regarding inappropriate uses of an official position by the current U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle. These have included concerns that Ambassador Guilfoyle has improperly advocated on behalf of a foreign company and provided unfettered access for a registered lobbyist to attend official U.S. Government meetings. Such actions do not serve U.S. credibility overseas and risk undermining U.S. diplomacy. In advance of your upcoming travel to Greece, I request an immediate review of Ambassador Guilfoyle's actions and a clarification of what steps have and will be taken to avoid undue influence and even the appearance of a conflict of interest," wrote the Senator.

"I am also concerned that Ambassador Guilfoyle seems to be following the troubling trend of U.S. Ambassadors engaging in the domestic politics of foreign governments, particularly in the countries of our closest partners and allies. Reports indicate that Ambassador Guilfoyle referred to the impending collapse of the Romanian government at a March 18, 2026 dinner and told Greece's Energy Minister, "We can do that to any country we want. We can do that here." Shortly thereafter, Ambassador Guilfoyle traveled to Bucharest and met with leaders of Romania's Social Democratic Party (PSD), including its chairman and then-energy minister to promote the Vertical Gas Corridor and increased purchases of U.S. liquefied natural gas. The PSD later withdrew from Romania's governing coalition and voted to bring down Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan's government," continued the Senator.

"The United States has a legitimate interest in expanding American exports and strengthening U.S. economic interests overseas. Those objectives must be pursued consistent with federal law and ethics requirements and with the fundamental principle that American diplomats represent the interests of the United States-not the private interests of certain companies or their paid lobbyists," concluded the Senator.

Full text of the letter is available HERE and provided below.

Secretary Rubio,

In recent months, I have been made aware of concerns regarding inappropriate uses of an official position by the current U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle. These have included concerns that Ambassador Guilfoyle has improperly advocated on behalf of a foreign company and provided unfettered access for a registered lobbyist to attend official U.S. Government meetings. Such actions do not serve U.S. credibility overseas and risk undermining U.S. diplomacy. In advance of your upcoming travel to Greece, I request an immediate review of Ambassador Guilfoyle's actions and a clarification of what steps have and will be taken to avoid undue influence and even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

The State Department has a responsibility to ensure that U.S. taxpayer resources and U.S. embassies are used to advance the interests of the United States-which include acting as an impartial advocate on behalf of all U.S. business interests. I am troubled, however, by reporting the Committee has received, as well as public reporting, that a private individual and registered lobbyist for a number of Greek companies, Christos Marafatsos, has repeatedly accompanied Ambassador Guilfoyle in official government meetings. This blurs the lines regarding what is official U.S. government business and raises questions about whether Mr. Marafatsos' private-sector role was properly disclosed to participants in meetings. It also appears that Ambassador Guilfoyle may have explicitly advocated on behalf of a foreign company in discussions with foreign governments.

I am also concerned that Ambassador Guilfoyle seems to be following the troubling trend of U.S. Ambassadors engaging in the domestic politics of foreign governments, particularly in the countries of our closest partners and allies. Reports indicate that Ambassador Guilfoyle referred to the impending collapse of the Romanian government at a March 18, 2026 dinner and told Greece's Energy Minister, "We can do that to any country we want. We can do that here." Shortly thereafter, Ambassador Guilfoyle traveled to Bucharest and met with leaders of Romania's Social Democratic Party (PSD), including its chairman and then-energy minister to promote the Vertical Gas Corridor and increased purchases of U.S. liquefied natural gas. The PSD later withdrew from Romania's governing coalition and voted to bring down Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan's government.

As these actions risk undermining the credibility of U.S. government officials working abroad on behalf of U.S. national security interests and the American people, I request that in addition to a review of these instances, the Department provides a prompt response to the following:

1. Does Mr. Marafatsos have an official role at U.S. Embassy Greece? Has he been authorized by the State Department to participate in meetings involving foreign government officials? If not, has the Department taken any action or provided any guidance to Ambassador Guilfoyle regarding the participation of lobbyists for foreign entities in U.S. government meetings?
   
   
2. Has the Department conducted a conflict-of-interest review regarding Mr. Marafatsos' financial interests, and if so, what was the outcome of that review?
   
   
3. Did Mr. Marafatsos or Ambassador Guilfoyle disclose Mr. Marafatsos' clients and financial interests to the other participants and to relevant State Department personnel?
   
   
4. How many official U.S. government meetings, trips, or engagements has Mr. Marafatsos participated in? Were foreign officials informed that he was not a representative of the United States Government and were all Department ethics requirements followed?
   
   
5. Has Ambassador Guilfoyle accepted transportation, hospitality or other items of value from Aktor, its officers or employees, Mr. Marafatsos, or any other private entities?

The United States has a legitimate interest in expanding American exports and strengthening U.S. economic interests overseas. Those objectives must be pursued consistent with federal law and ethics requirements and with the fundamental principle that American diplomats represent the interests of the United States-not the private interests of certain companies or their paid lobbyists.

I look forward to your response.

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