Rep. Jamie Raskin Launches Probe Into FBI Director Kash Patel Over Bonus Payments

Rep. Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, opened an investigation this week into FBI Director Kash Patel after receiving information that Patel directed more than $1 million in taxpayer-funded bonuses to members of his inner circle.

The Maryland Democrat sent a letter Monday requesting a full accounting of every bonus, award or other payment made in addition to salary, including the amount, recipient and authorizing official.

Com reported that Raskin cited committee information showing recurring payments issued to agents on the Director’s Advisory Team and members of Patel’s security detail. Multiple individuals received five consecutive $8,000 payments even though they had already reached the maximum federal employee salary, according to the letter.

The internal unit was formed in 2025 to examine the conduct of federal law enforcement officials who had investigated President Trump and his allies.

Raskin stated that the committee can confirm Patel has depleted the FBI reserve accounts for bonus payments, causing some payments to bounce back from exhausted accounts. “We write to find out precisely how much slush fund largess you have put on the American taxpayer’s tab,” the letter said.

Democrats currently lack the votes to issue unilateral subpoenas because Republicans hold the House majority.

Raskin noted that a Democratic takeover would restore that authority. The letter also questioned whether the payments compensated agents for actions outside their normal duties or were intended to secure silence regarding alleged personal conduct by the director.