A high-ranking official at the Department of Homeland Security has been suspended following allegations that she solicited tens of thousands of dollars from “sugar daddies.”
A formal complaint was filed against Julia Varvaro, a 29-year-old counterterrorism official, accusing her of keeping transactional relationships that posed a security risk, The Daily Mail reported on Wednesday.
“Varvaro is on administrative leave as a result of the investigation and she is no longer serving in her capacity as a Deputy Assistant Secretary at DHS,” a department official told The Independent.
She was appointed to her senior position in May 2025, shortly after earning a degree in Homeland Security from St. John’s University. Varvaro has attended several MAGA events and has been photographed with President Donald Trump.
The complaint, filed with the DHS inspector general, was submitted by an executive identified as “Robert B,” who said he spent approximately $40,000 on Varvaro during the course of their three‑month relationship after they met on Hinge.
Robert claimed in his complaint that Varvaro had created a profile on the sugar daddy site Seeking, on which she offered “seductive sophistication.”
“I did not want a sugar daddy/prostitution relationship, after spending $30,000-$40,000 for vacations, Cartier jewelry, expensive handbags, and various shopping trips,” he wrote.
“She told me that she does not have college debt because sugar daddies paid for her college education,” he continued, according to The Daily Mail. “I believe that she’s under financial stress and that her actions pose a security risk.”
Varvaro, though, insisted she did not have an account on Seeking and maintained that she had done nothing improper.
“I didn’t know it was bad to go on vacation with your boyfriend,” she told The Daily Mail. “We were together in an exclusive relationship. We went on vacations. I don’t know what’s the problem with that.”
Marc Polymeropoulos, a former CIA official, said he found the allegations disconcerting.
“Allegations of a sugar daddy relationship and unreported income from that relationship are serious issues for DHS security personnel that need to be resolved,” he told the outlet. “I would be curious to see what kind of vetting was done…”
The Independent has attempted to contact Varvaro for comment.
