WASHINGTON - White House gate crashers Tareq and Michaele Salahi have invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in an appearance before Congress.

A federal grand jury is investigating the Salahis to learn how the Virginia couple got past Secret Service checkpoints for a White House state dinner on Nov. 24, without invitations, and shook hands with President Barack Obama.

The Salahis' attorney has said that the couple believed they were invited to an arrival ceremony for the prime minister of India and the White House receiving line for the dinner. The couple was auditioning for a reality television show, "The Real Housewives of DC." The episode led to an apology from the U.S. Secret Service to placement of three officers on administrative leave.

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