FBI Director Kash Patel is facing allegations that he approved over $1 million in taxpayer-funded bonuses for a select group of loyalist agents, described by critics as a “personal slush fund.” The House Judiciary Committee claims some agents received bonus payments of almost $8,000 every two weeks.
Congressman Jamie Raskin questions Kash Patel’s alleged FBI slush fund payments
Congressman Jamie Raskin said lawmakers were told that Patel approved bonuses of up to $40,000 for several agents, including those on the “director’s advisory team.”
In a letter on June 15 to the FBI Director, Raskin wrote, as reported by the Independent, “We have been receiving troubling reports that you may be using part of the budget of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a personal slush fund to make tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in unlawful ‘bonus’ payments to loyalist MAGA henchmen who have engaged in misconduct,”
He questioned Patel, “Why are these agents receiving extra pay simply for doing their jobs? Are they, in fact, collecting bonus compensation for engaging in actions outside of their duties and outside of the law?” Raskin wrote, as quoted by MS NOW, “By issuing these side payments, your office may be knowingly breaking federal law.” Adding, “In some cases, nearly $8,000 payments have been made to multiple individuals every two-week pay period despite many of the beneficiaries of your selective generosity already maxing out on a federal employee’s salary.”
The letter referenced reports from The Atlantic alleging erratic behavior and excessive drinking by Patel and claimed that agents accompanied him on personal outings, reports The Guardian. The FBI director has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the outlet and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick over claims regarding his alleged drinking and absences.
Patel, who joined as the ninth director on February 21, 2025, has also faced other allegations of mismanagement and misconduct. In November 2025, as per Yahoo News, the 46-year-old was accused of misusing agency resources, including assigning protection to his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins.
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