politics
Kash Patel Files $250 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against The Atlantic Over Alcoholism Claims
FBI Director Kash Patel filed a defamation lawsuit days after The Atlantic's April 17 report cited more than two dozen anonymous sources to claim he drank heavily in Washington and Las Vegas, causing rescheduled meetings and frequent unavailability. The Atlantic published a follow-up story on May 6 about Patel distributing personalized bourbon to FBI staff.
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FBI Director Kash Patel filed a $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick on April 20 after the magazine published a report on April 17 alleging that he had been heavily drinking in Washington and Las Vegas. Sarah Fitzpatrick's April 17 article, based on over two dozen anonymous sources, alleged that at times Patel’s early meetings had been rescheduled due to alcohol-fueled nights and that he was frequently unavailable.
Patel categorically denied claims that he abused alcohol or that drinking affected his performance at the FBI.
He stated that Sarah Fitzpatrick failed to include responses he sent her before the April 17 story was published. Patel’s legal team stated that The Atlantic met the standard of actual malice by failing to adequately consider a prepublication letter sent by attorney Jesse Binnall. The Atlantic stated it would vigorously defend The Atlantic and our journalists against this meritless lawsuit.
Jeffrey Goldberg stated: We will have further comment when we learn more. Jeffrey Goldberg stated: If true, this would be an outrageous, illegal, and dangerous attack on the free press and the First Amendment. The Atlantic published a new report on May 6 stating it is not unusual for Kash Patel to travel with a supply of personalized, branded bourbon and hand it out to FBI staff.
The Atlantic's May 6 report relied on eight anonymous sources. The Atlantic's May 6 report claimed Patel distributed his personalized whiskey to associates while on official business and claimed Patel distributed personalized whiskey during at least one FBI event. The FBI launched a criminal leak investigation focusing on Sarah Fitzpatrick, according to MS Now.
