US EditionNew York Times says FBI investigated reporter after article about director Kash Patel’s girlfriend
Agents interviewed Alexis Wilkins and queried reporter records before recommending a review of whether federal stalking laws were violated, officials said.
- In March, the FBI opened an inquiry into New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson following her February 28 article detailing FBI Director Kash Patel's use of bureau personnel to provide security for girlfriend Alexis Wilkins.
- Patel faced scrutiny for assigning a full-time SWAT security detail to Wilkins for personal engagements including singing appearances, intensifying questions about his use of taxpayer-funded federal resources.
- FBI agents queried databases for information on Williamson and recommended a preliminary investigation into possible stalking offenses after Wilkins told agents the reporting left her feeling harassed.
- Justice Department officials determined there was no legal basis to proceed, viewing the inquiry as retaliation for an article Patel did not like, and the FBI confirmed it is not pursuing a case.
- New York Times executive editor Joseph Kahn criticized the bureau's attempt to criminalize routine newsgathering, calling it a violation of the First Amendment and part of Patel's documented hostility toward the press.
24 Articles
24 Articles
A journalist from The New York Times was investigated by the FBI, after writing an article nearly two months ago about the Bureau's friend Kash Patel, and the use by Donald Trump's neighbor of resources paid for taxpayers' money for personal purposes, according to the American publication. According to the cited source, ...
Elizabeth Williamson interviewed the girlfriend of the federal police boss for a February report.
Fbi Investigated New York Times Reporter After Article About the Institution's Director's Girlfriend
The FBI (U.S. Federal Police) started an investigation against a New York Times reporter last month, after she wrote about the head of the agency, Kash Patel, using agency officials to provide government security and transportation to her girlfriend, according to one person revealed to NYT. Agents interviewed the girlfriend, consulted databases for information about the reporter, Elizabeth Williamson, and recommended to continue with the investi…
Associated Press News
New York Times says FBI investigated reporter after article about director Kash Patel's girlfriend
The New York Times says it has learned that the FBI investigated one of its reporters, Elizabeth Williamson, after she wrote about its agents being assigned to protect and transport the girlfriend of that agency's director, Kash Patel.
The FBI argued that the director's girlfriend felt persecuted and recommended investigation, but the Department of Justice did not follow up on the case.
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