A new report from The Atlantic has leveled fresh allegations against FBI Director Kash Patel, claiming he threatened to polygraph and prosecute staff over a missing bottle of his branded bourbon. The report, written by Sarah Fitzpatrick, who previously faced a lawsuit from Patel over a story accusing him of alcoholism, details an incident in March at the FBI's training facility in Quantico, Virginia.
Incident at Quantico Training Facility
According to the report, Patel and his team brought at least one case of bourbon to the facility for a training seminar where UFC athletes were providing MMA instruction to aspiring FBI agents and senior staff. At one point, a bottle went missing, prompting Patel to lose his composure. Kurt Siuzdak, a retired agent who assists FBI personnel with legal issues, told Fitzpatrick that multiple agents contacted him after Patel began threatening to use polygraph tests and prosecute staff over the missing bottle. “It turned into a shitshow,” Siuzdak said. Other attorneys confirmed receiving similar calls from FBI employees concerned about Patel's reaction.
Patel's Branded Bourbon Gifts
The report also highlights Patel's practice of gifting bottles of his own branded bourbon whiskey, which bear his signature and name. Fitzpatrick noted that after her initial story on Patel's alleged drunkenness was published, one such bottle appeared at an online auction, which The Atlantic purchased. The seller, who wished to remain anonymous, stated the bottle was a direct gift from Patel at an event in Las Vegas. The FBI did not deny that Patel gives away these bottles, describing it as a tradition that predates his tenure.
Zero-Tolerance Policy vs. Gifts
Former agents told Fitzpatrick that the FBI traditionally maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding unauthorized alcohol use on the job and misuse off duty. However, Patel's gifts placed staff in a difficult position, as they feared refusing the bottle could lead to a polygraph test. The report raises questions about the director's judgment and the potential conflict between personal branding and official conduct.
Fitzpatrick's latest allegations follow a previous report that led to a defamation lawsuit from Patel. The Atlantic has defended its reporting, and the legal proceedings are ongoing.
