Newsmax Credited With Third Gate-Crasher Scoop

The mainstream media lauded a startling Newsmax report Monday of a third uninvited gate-crasher at the White House function honoring the prime minister of India in November.

Newsmax Chief Washington Correspondent Ronald Kessler broke the story Monday morning.

The presence of a third interloper was discovered during an investigation of Michaele and Tareq Salahi's high-profile intrusion, Kessler wrote. The Virginia couple waltzed past White House security checkpoints and posed for pictures at the state dinner with top members of the Obama administration. They also greeted the president.

According to Kessler's report on Newsmax.com, Secret Service agents reviewing surveillance video of the event during the subsequent probe spotted a tuxedoed man who also was not on the guest list.

The Secret Service confirmed the new security breach just hours after the Kessler report was posted on Newsmax.com.

It admitted that no background check was conducted on the third gate-crasher. The agency said the man had joined members of the official Indian delegation at a local hotel, traveled with them to the White House, and was allowed into the state dinner.

The Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, USA Today, and The Washington Post all acknowledged Monday that Kessler broke the story first on Newsmax.com.

"News of the latest intruder broke Monday morning when author Ronald Kessler, who has written a book on the Secret Service, reported it on the Newsmax Web site," USA Today reported.

Likewise, the Globe's Boston.com site noted: "The incident was first reported this morning by Ronald Kessler," acknowledged the Globe's Boston.com site.

Not all media outlets gave Newsmax credit for breaking the story, however. The New York Times, The Associated Press, and ABC News all cited the Secret Service statement, without explaining that the agency was responding to Kessler's initial Newsmax report.

The Washington Post has identified the man as D.C. party promoter Carlos Allen, who subsequently denied attending the function.

The Secret Service, stung by the embarrassing lapses, is not confirming the man's identity. The third gate-crasher apparently did not stand in the reception line or otherwise contact President Obama and the first lady, the Secret Service said.