FBI Says Kash Patel Followed ‘Ethical Guidelines’ With Alleged Personalized Bourbon Gifts

BreakingBusinessFBI Says Kash Patel Followed ‘Ethical Guidelines’ With Alleged Personalized Bourbon GiftsByAntonio Pequeño IV,Forbes Staff. Pequeño is a breaking news reporter who covers tech and more.Follow AuthorMay 07, 2026, 06:06pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.ToplineThe FBI defended Kash Patel on Thursday following a report by The Atlantic that claimed he distributed personally branded bourbon bottles to staff and civilians, saying the bureau director followed guidelines as he navigates separate accusations of excessive drinking that provoked him to file a lawsuit against The Atlantic.Patel has sued The Atlantic. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty ImagesKey FactsBen Williamson, the FBI’s assistant director, told Forbes the bottles were commonplace in the FBI and were established as a tradition several years before Patel took up the mantle of director, though The Atlantic’s report suggested a tradition of handing out liquor bottles was not common before Patel’s tenure.Williamson added that “Patel has followed all applicable ethical guidelines and pays for any personal gift himself,” accusing The Atlantic’s premise of being “false and misleading.”The Atlantic published a story Wednesday that cited eight unnamed people including current and former FBI and Justice Department members who said it is “not unusual” for Patel to travel with a stash of personally branded bourbon from Kentucky distillery Woodford Reserve that bears an engraving of his name, which is stylized as “Ka$h” on the bottle.The Atlantic, which said it purchased a bottle of the bourbon on an online auction, published photos of the bottle’s engraving that also allegedly features an FBI shield and an eagle holding the shield alongside the number nine—a possible reference to Patel’s role as the ninth FBI director. if (!window.cnxel) { window.cnxel = {}; window.cnxel.cmd = []; var iframe = document.createElement('ifram...