The FBI pushed back Wednesday against a report that its director distributed personalized whiskey bottles, saying the practice complies with federal ethics standards and predates his tenure.
The Atlantic published an article describing FBI Director Kash Patel as traveling with customized bourbon bottles branded with his name and title, which he gave to contacts he encountered through his work. The bottles feature Woodford Reserve branding, an FBI shield, and the phrase "Kash Patel FBI Director" along with an eagle holding the number nine, apparently referencing his position as the ninth FBI director.
Ben Williamson, the FBI's assistant director, countered that the exchange of commemorative items is standard practice within the Bureau and has been conducted for more than a decade. "Senior Bureau officials have long exchanged commemorative items in formal gift settings consistent with ethics rules," Williamson said in a statement. "Director Patel has followed all applicable ethical guidelines and pays for any personal gift himself."
Eight sources interviewed by the Atlantic, including current and former FBI and Department of Justice officials, told the publication that Patel had handed out the bottles to people inside and outside the agency.
A senior FBI official confirmed to the Guardian that any bottles given in official capacity were part of formal gift exchanges and that if Patel provided one as a personal gift, he reimbursed the Bureau. The official also stated that "Director Patel has never consumed the alcohol."
The Atlantic's reporting indicated that Patel distributed the bottles while performing official duties at least once and that staff transported the whiskey on a Justice Department aircraft, including during a February trip to Milan for the Olympics. Patel was photographed drinking beer with the U.S. men's hockey team after their gold medal victory during that same trip, a moment officials said displeased Trump.
The bourbon dispute represents the latest controversy surrounding Patel's leadership of the FBI. Last month, the Atlantic published an article alleging Patel had excessive alcohol consumption and that his security team had struggled to wake him on multiple occasions. Patel denied those claims and subsequently sued the magazine and its reporter, Sarah Fitzpatrick, seeking $250 million in damages for what his lawyers called a "sweeping, malicious and defamatory hit piece."
Separately, the New York Times reported that the FBI opened an investigation into one of its reporters, Elizabeth Williamson, after she wrote about security concerns related to Patel's girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins.
Author James Rodriguez: "The FBI's swift defense suggests the bottle controversy won't stick, but the pattern of escalating headlines around Patel's conduct is starting to build a narrative that goes beyond isolated incidents."
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