Counterterrorism Official Denies Wrongdoing Amid Scandal
In Washington, a senior counterterrorism official has declared that he did “nothing wrong” after his former girlfriend reportedly initiated a surveillance inquiry concerning allegations that he financially supported her lifestyle as a “sugar daddy.”
According to reports, Robert B., a divorced business executive, first connected with Julia Barbaro, the 29-year-old assistant secretary of homeland security for counterterrorism, through the dating app Hinge in December. Their relationship lasted several months and ended with him filing a formal complaint with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“It’s just some crazy ex-boyfriend making stuff up, and it’s really bizarre,” Barbaro commented. “If we created a story for every short relationship that didn’t work out in D.C., the city would collapse. We thought we had a good relationship until it fell apart.”
Barbaro, who hails from Long Island and holds three degrees from St. John’s University, is now under investigation by the department’s Office of Inspector General to determine if her online dating life raised any national security concerns, as reported.
Robert B. is reportedly several decades Barbaro’s senior and stated that he spent around $40,000 on her, funding luxurious trips to places like Italy, San Diego, South Carolina, and Aruba during their brief romance.
During their relationship, there were indications that Barbaro sought significant financial support. Robert B. mentioned introducing her to his daughter, who labeled Barbaro a “gold digger from Long Island” and questioned her intentions.
Supposedly, their first date at Minetta Tavern in D.C. was a disaster, with Robert B. claiming he spent $1,400 only to receive a kiss in return.
“Everywhere we dined, she opted for the priciest items, including premium Wagyu beef,” he recalled.
On a getaway to Aruba for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Barbaro reportedly criticized their accommodations. Robert B. even suggested shopping at the hotel’s Cartier store for ‘souvenirs,’ to which she reacted less than enthusiastically. Eventually, she switched to a more expensive hotel at an extra cost of $1,700 per night.
The couple also ventured to Italy and Switzerland, where Robert B. alleged that he bought her a new coat, ski gear, a $1,000 camera, and a $3,500 Bottega handbag in Milan.
After returning to D.C., Barbaro pressed him for $2,000 to help with her rent during a government shutdown.
“I’m not accustomed to receiving simple requests for rent, especially from someone furloughed,” she texted him, asserting that in previous relationships, her partner would have promptly assisted her. “That’s what I appreciate,” she added.
A screenshot shared by the media revealed Robert B. sending her money via Apple Cash.
“At one point, she even asked for a credit card in her name for spontaneous shopping, but I told her that wouldn’t work for me,” he recounted.
In March, Barbaro allegedly sent him a picture showcasing $1,000 sandals and expressed annoyance when he didn’t send money via Venmo immediately. She even suggested a $2,000 cellulite treatment, remarking on his “thick arms.”
Reflecting on their dynamic, Barbaro insisted her expectations weren’t unusual and defended her right to financial access from her partner.
“After spending $30,000 to $40,000 on vacations and various luxury expenses, I never intended to engage in anything like prostitution,” Robert B. wrote in his complaint to the DHS Office of Inspector General. He further stated, “She specifically shared that the $40,000 worth of jewelry she wore were gifts from her sugar daddy. She seems financially burdened, and I believe her actions might pose a security risk.”
When contacted for a statement, a spokesperson for the DHS Office of Inspector General stated that they have a policy of neither confirming nor denying the presence of any specific investigation.
DHS officials have not commented, and efforts to reach both Barbaro and Robert B. were unsuccessful.
