The FBI has defended director Kash Patel after a report alleged that he handed out personalised bourbon whiskey bottles as gifts. The agency said Patel 'followed all applicable ethical guidelines' and paid for any personal gifts himself.
The Atlantic reported that Patel travelled with a stock of custom bottles from Kentucky’s Woodford Reserve distillery. They are engraved with 'Kash Patel FBI Director', an FBI shield, and the stylised first name 'Ka$h'. The shield is held by an eagle clutching the number nine, likely referring to Patel’s position as the ninth FBI director.
Ben Williamson, the FBI’s assistant director, said the practice of exchanging commemorative items was common and had been in place for over a decade. 'Director Patel has followed all applicable ethical guidelines and pays for any personal gift himself,' he added.
Eight current and former FBI and justice department officials told the Atlantic that Patel gave the bottles to FBI personnel and civilians. One bottle was handed out at an FBI function. Patel and his staff also transported the whiskey on a justice department aircraft during a February trip to Milan for the Olympics.
Separately, Patel and his security team have faced allegations of excessive alcohol consumption. He denies those claims and has filed a $250m defamation lawsuit against the Atlantic. The FBI has also been accused of investigating a New York Times reporter over an article about Patel’s girlfriend, singer Alexis Wilkins.
