A federal investigation is bearing down on one of Washington’s most recently elevated national security figures, after a wealthy businessman filed a formal complaint with the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General alleging the woman he dated had been systematically extracting money and luxury goods from men she met online.
The official at the center of the storm is Julia Varvaro — 29 years old, holder of a 2024 doctorate in Homeland Security from St. John’s University, and, since May 2025, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism at DHS.
The man who filed the complaint, identified only as Robert B. at his own request, says he first encountered Varvaro the way millions of Americans meet strangers — scrolling through the dating app Hinge one December evening.
He swiped right. She matched. What followed, he says, cost him between $30,000 and $40,000 over ninety days.
Their first outing set the tone. Robert brought Varvaro to the Minetta Tavern, a well-regarded French restaurant in Washington, D.C. After dinner, the two moved upstairs to the bar for caviar and cocktails. Robert says he settled the $1,400 bill. They parted with a kiss.
Within weeks, the relationship had gone airborne — literally. Robert says he flew Varvaro to Aruba for an extended MLK weekend, traveling in first-class cabin seats and initially checking in to the oceanside Renaissance Wind Creek Resort.
Varvaro’s reaction upon arrival, according to Robert: “This is nice, but it’s not the Ritz.” He subsequently upgraded their accommodations to the Ritz-Carlton at $1,700 a night.
Before the flight even departed from Dulles International Airport, something else had reportedly occurred. Robert told the Daily Mail that Varvaro arranged for a TSA supervisor to meet them at the United Airlines check-in counter and escort the couple through security — a perk, he alleged, that came courtesy of her federal position.
The shopping started in Aruba. Varvaro allegedly steered Robert toward a Cartier store before dinner on the first night. “I need a souvenir,” she reportedly told him. “Let’s stop in before dinner.” He declined that evening.
By their departure day, he had returned to the store. According to Robert, she framed his earlier hesitation plainly: “I didn’t think you’d be so stupid not to get me a souvenir.”
February brought a second international excursion — Italy and Switzerland. The couple spent Valentine’s Day on the Italian Riviera, skied the Swiss Alps, and passed through Milan, where Robert purchased a $3,500 Bottega Veneta handbag.
He also bought Varvaro ski equipment and a $1,000 camera. She had, he recalled, noted her schedule flexibility with characteristic confidence: “I’ve got a three-day weekend, but could extend it to a week. I’m the big boss and can do what I want.”
During the planning of that same trip, Varvaro allegedly floated the possibility of securing VIP access to the Winter Olympics through federal contacts. “Well, I’m DHS counterterrorism, I might be able to get us behind the scenes,” Robert recalled her saying. “ICE works for me.” The couple ultimately did not attend.
Back in Washington, the financial requests continued to accumulate. Robert says he wired Varvaro $2,000 toward her rent while she was furloughed.
Text messages reviewed by the Daily Mail show her writing: “I’m not used to having to ask like this for a simple card or help with my rent especially being furloughed. Any past relationship would’ve jumped up and cared for me, which is what I like.”
In one exchange, she allegedly messaged him: “I like feeling provided for and you’re not doing that for me, so not sure it will work.”
He replied by itemizing what he had already spent: “I’ve dropped $30-40K on/with you in the three months we’ve dated. In the last week, you demanded I give you $4k for rent, $2k for Emsculpt, $1k sandals, a credit card and haven’t gotten to the weekend yet.”
During a DHS conferment ceremony in mid-March, Varvaro texted Robert from the event. “They call me Secretary,” she allegedly wrote. “I like it.” When he offered a deflating interpretation, she pushed back: “Nooooo. They know I’m the boss princess. I have my two minions following me around.”
Robert’s Inspector General complaint also alleged that Varvaro told him directly that previous sugar daddies had financed her education and that jewelry she wore regularly — valued at approximately $40,000 — had been given to her by those same men.
He also alleged observing her use marijuana on at least eleven occasions. Varvaro denied both claims, telling the Daily Mail she carries a legitimate Xanax prescription and has never used drugs recreationally.
The complaint alleged she maintained a profile on the sugar-arrangement website “Seeking” under the alias “Alessia,” using a photograph also appearing on her personal Instagram account.
The profile, created the day after Thanksgiving 2024, described her as “drawn to a masculine man who’s attentive, protective, and quietly playful for mutually beneficial experiences.” It was removed after the Daily Mail sought comment. Varvaro denied ever having such a profile.
Former CIA operations officer Marc Polymeropoulos told the Daily Mail the allegations warranted serious scrutiny. “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 said. “I would be curious to see what kind of vetting was done on her prior to her employment, given she would have been subject to a full background investigation. How did this not come up?”
A DHS spokesperson issued a brief statement: “We do not comment on internal investigations.” The Inspector General’s office declined to confirm or deny any active inquiry.
Varvaro, for her part, rejected the entire narrative. “I did nothing wrong,” she told the Daily Mail. “This is just a mad ex-boyfriend putting crap together.”
