FBI Director Kash Patel's $250 Million Defamation Suit Targets Atlantic Story Alleging Heavy Drinking
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FBI Director Kash Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over a report alleging heavy drinking and unexplained absences. The 19-page complaint, filed Monday in the District of Columbia, seeks $250 million and lists 17 statements it calls false. It specifically disputes reporting that Patel was known to drink to obvious intoxication and that his irregular presence delayed time-sensitive FBI decisions. The Atlantic published the story under the headline "The FBI Director Is MIA" and credited Sarah Fitzpatrick as the reporter. Editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg and Fitzpatrick say they stand by the reporting.