Kash Patel Bourbon controversy: Inside the ‘Ka$h’ branded gifts and FBI fallout

A bombshell report from The Atlantic has detailed allegations of erratic behaviour and the distribution of personalized liquor by FBI Director Kash Patel. 

Patel reportedly hands out bottles of Woodford Reserve bourbon engraved with “Kash Patel FBI Director,” an FBI shield, and his nickname spelled as “Ka$h.” These bottles have been gifted to both FBI staff and civilians, including at events in Las Vegas.

One bottle was recently purchased by The Atlantic via an online auction. The report alleges that Patel used Justice Department planes to transport the liquor. 

During a training seminar with the UFC at the FBI’s Quantico facility, a bottle of the bourbon reportedly went missing. 

Patel allegedly “lost his mind” over the theft, threatening FBI agents with prosecution and polygraph tests.

A retired agent described the fallout as a “shitshow” that led multiple agents to seek legal counsel. Patel reportedly brought the bourbon to Milan, where he was seen “ chugging beer” with the Team USA Men’s Olympic hockey team. 

This behaviour primarily upset President Donald Trump, a noted teetotaler, especially after a bottle was allegedly left behind in the team’s locker room. The report follows previous claims of Patel being “missing in action.” 

Security detail reportedly struggled to wake him due to apparent intoxication; in one instance, officials requested SWAT-style breaching tools to reach Patel behind a locked door when he could not be reached.

The FBI claims the gifting is within the ethics code and part of a decade-old tradition though former officials say a Director handing out booze is unheard of. 

Patel is currently suing The Atlantic over the reporting on his drinking habits, and the FBI has reportedly opened an investigation into the reporter, Sarah Fitzpatrick, following her coverage. Additionally, his alleged behaviour has led some FBI officials to grow concerned about the future.