Washington: Fresh controversy has surfaced around Kash Patel after a new report alleged that the FBI Director has been distributing personalised bottles of bourbon carrying his name, logo and the FBI shield to staff members and civilians. The claims come weeks after questions were raised about Patel’s drinking habits and their potential implications for national security.

According to a report published by The Atlantic, Patel has been gifting bottles of bourbon from Kentucky distillery Woodford Reserve engraved with the phrase “Kash Patel FBI Director”.

Bourbon allegedly transported on DOJ aircraft

The publication further reported that Patel’s whisky was transported using a Department of Justice aircraft, including during a trip to Milan for the Olympics in February.

During that visit, Patel was filmed drinking beer with the gold medal-winning US men’s hockey team. According to the report, the incident reportedly did not go down well with teetotal US President Donald Trump.

The reported use of a DOJ plane to transport whisky has also become a subject of discussion among FBI personnel, the report stated.

FBI says practice follows longstanding tradition

Responding to the allegations, an FBI spokesperson said that the exchange of commemorative gifts is a routine practice within both the bureau and the wider government.

“The bottles in question are part of a tradition in the FBI that started well over a decade ago, long before Director Patel arrived,” the spokesperson said.

The statement added that senior bureau officials have historically exchanged commemorative items during formal gift settings in accordance with ethics rules. The spokesperson also maintained that Patel follows all ethical guidelines and personally pays for any gifts he gives.

Current and former employees raise concerns

However, according to the report, several serving and former FBI employees said the practice of handing out personalised liquor bottles by the director was highly unusual.

The bureau has traditionally maintained a strict zero-tolerance approach towards alcohol misuse while on duty, sources reportedly told the publication.

“It is so weird and uncomfortable,” one source said.

A former FBI agent described the situation as “demoralising”, claiming it created the impression that different standards applied to the director compared to the rest of the bureau.

Missing bourbon bottle triggered internal turmoil

The report also detailed an incident earlier this year involving a missing bottle of bourbon during an FBI training seminar in Quantico, Virginia.

The March event, organised by Patel, reportedly featured UFC fighters conducting mixed martial arts sessions for FBI recruits and senior officials. Multiple cases of bourbon had allegedly been brought to the venue for the occasion.

At least one bottle reportedly went missing during the seminar, causing significant disruption within the bureau.

Former agent claims staff feared fallout

Kurt Siuzdak, a retired FBI agent who now advises bureau employees and whistleblowers on legal matters, said Patel reacted angrily after learning about the missing bottle.

According to Siuzdak, agents contacted him after Patel allegedly threatened staff members with polygraph examinations and possible prosecution over the incident.

“It turned into a shitshow,” Siuzdak told the publication.

The report stated that other lawyers also received complaints from FBI employees concerned about potential repercussions linked to the missing liquor.

Siuzdak further claimed that many bureau personnel feel unable to report concerns involving Patel because of fears about professional consequences.

“FBI employees have a duty to disclose wrongdoing,” he said. “But if you make allegations against Patel, you’re screwed.”

Concerns over professional integrity

Siuzdak added that agents are especially anxious about becoming associated with conduct that falls outside standard FBI practices, worrying it could later affect their credibility in court proceedings.

“Street agents know that integrity is the most important thing for their jobs,” he said. “Without integrity, you can’t testify.”

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience with the FBI, along with additional military service, Siuzdak said he had been giving straightforward advice to current employees seeking guidance.

“I tell people to run from him,” he said.

Former FBI supervisory intelligence analyst George Hill also criticised the reported behaviour.

“Handing out bottles of liquor at the premier law enforcement agency, it makes me frightened for the country,” Hill said. “Standards apply to everything and everyone, especially the boss.”