Kash Patel accused of sliding ‘cash to friends’ in bonuses with taxpayer funds
Related: Trump still hopes to revive $1.8B ‘weaponization fund’ and will be ‘disappointed’ if Republicans fail to approve it
Democrat Jamie Raskin has sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, demanding an explanation for alleged bonus payments totaling over $1 million to loyal team members.
Raskin claims Patel may have used FBI funds as a “personal slush fund,” issuing bonuses of up to $40,000 to agents, including those on his advisory team and security detail.
The lawmaker questioned if these payments were a “corrupt attempt to slide cash to friends” or to ensure silence from agents witnessing alleged misconduct, such as Patel drinking on the job.
Raskin highlighted that these alleged bonuses occurred while many career FBI agents involved in investigations related to Donald Trump, the 2020 election, or January 6 rioters were fired.
The letter requests documentation of the payments, recipients, their salaries, and communications regarding the legality of the rewards by June 29, amidst other accusations of Patel’s mismanagement and misuse of FBI resources.
