US EditionFBI Director Kash Patel sues The Atlantic for $250 million over story on alleged drinking, absences
Patel alleges the magazine ignored denials and a lawyer’s request for more time before publishing claims that he was intoxicated and absent from work.
- FBI Director Kash Patel sued The Atlantic for $250 million over a story alleging his heavy drinking and absences harmed his job performance and raised concerns at the FBI and Department of Justice.
- The lawsuit alleges The Atlantic acted with "actual malice" by knowingly printing false information despite Patel's denials. A central point of the litigation is the magazine's allegation that security detail once requested "breaching equipment" to enter Patel’s room after he was unreachable; Patel’s lawyers have labeled this specific claim a "complete fabrication" designed to humiliate the director.
- The lawsuit challenges the report's assertion that morning briefings were routinely delayed due to Patel's alcohol consumption at private clubs, with the defense arguing that no named witnesses have supported these "alcohol-fueled" narratives.
- While The Atlantic has stated it stands by its "diligent, award-winning" reporting, Patel has characterized the piece as a desperate attempt by the "fake news" to sabotage his efforts to reform the bureau.
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183 Articles
The Atlantic vows to fight $250 million defamation lawsuit by Kash Patel
On Monday, FBI Director Kash Patel filed a lawsuit against The Atlantic seeking $250 million in damages for an article the magazine published last week about Patel's alleged drinking habits. The lawsuit claims that the publication had "crossed the legal line by publishing an article replete with false and obviously fabricated allegations designed to destroy Director Patel's reputation and drive him from office." The piece, written by Sarah Fitzp…
The Atlantic published an article last week in which Kash Patel is accused of alcohol abuse and absenteeism.
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tippinsightsFBI Director files $250 million defamation suit against The Atlantic
FBI Director Kash Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over an article about his leadership at the agency, which focused on possible mismanagement at the FBI, Patel’s alleged drinking and unexplained absences from the bureau.
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