FBI director Kash Patel filed a defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic today, seeking $250 million in damages. An article by Sarah Fitzpatrick, published online on 17th April, claims that “Kash Patel has alarmed colleagues with episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences.”
The article, headlined “The FBI Director Is MIA”, includes a denial from Patel, who told the magazine: “Print it, all false, I’ll see you in court — bring your checkbook.” Patel’s lawsuit describes the article as a “malicious and defamatory hit piece” though Fitzpatrick’s reporting is based on conversations — albeit off-the-record — with six current and former FBI officials.
The article, headlined “The FBI Director Is MIA”, includes a denial from Patel, who told the magazine: “Print it, all false, I’ll see you in court — bring your checkbook.” Patel’s lawsuit describes the article as a “malicious and defamatory hit piece” though Fitzpatrick’s reporting is based on conversations — albeit off-the-record — with six current and former FBI officials.