Indianapolis, Ind., December 3, 2009 -- Star United is taking the unusual step of dismissing mellophone alternate Michaele Salahi following a regrettable and well-publicized turn of events that occurred at a White House State dinner last week.

"It's sad that we have to make a public announcement about a former member of Star United," says corps president Sean Conley about the controversy that was sparked by the release of photographs of Michaele Salahi donning a Star United scarf at a White House event last week.

Michale Salahi (center) shown with Ambassador Singh (l) and Tareg Salahi at a White House State Dinner on November 24, 2009.

"It's even more regrettable that Micki chose to use such a high profile event to undertake shameless promotion of the Star United brand," continues Conley. "I'd like to publicly state that Micki's membership was terminated last week and she has been informed to return her Star United scarf, her mellophone, and her BarbHof2010 T-shirt. I'd also like to mention that Star United members will be rehearsing within the Star Alumni Corps this weekend in Bloomington, Indiana."