FBI slams ex-official for 'bogus' claims about Kash Patel's nightclub visits

UPDATED: May 8, 2025 00:23 IST

FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson slammed former agency official Frank Figliuzzi over what he called “bogus” and “completely fabricated” claims that Director Kash Patel spends more time in nightclubs than at FBI headquarters.

The controversy erupted after Figliuzzi appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe last Friday, where he claimed that Patel is more often seen at nightclubs than in his office on the seventh floor of the Hoover Building.

He also alleged that Patel significantly reduced his daily intelligence briefings to just twice a week and splits his time between Washington DC and Las Vegas, working primarily from home.

The statements quickly went viral, especially amid ongoing scrutiny of Patel’s alleged use of FBI aircraft for personal travel. Senate Democrats have reportedly asked the US Government Accountability Office to investigate the FBI Director’s travel activities, according to CBS News.

However, Williamson, the FBI’s Assistant Director for Public Affairs, refuted the claim on social media.

“Mr. Figliuzzi already got exposed (and earned an on-air Morning Joe correction) over the nightclub thing he made up, but he made up the Vegas bit as well. Bogus. Kash has been Director for 70+ days and has been home for a total of three days. I see him here at HQ every day.”

Following Williamson’s statement, Morning Joe host Jonathan Lemire addressed the controversy on-air Monday. “Let’s circle back to a segment from Friday’s show,” Lemire said. “At the end of that segment, Figliuzzi said that FBI Director Kash Patel has reportedly been more visible at nightclubs than at his office at FBI headquarters. This was a misstatement. We have not verified that claim.”

Supporters of Patel rallied behind him, calling the allegations defamatory and politically motivated. “This is defamation with malicious intent. Sue them into oblivion,” one user posted. Another wrote, “Kash Patel is doing his job, not hiding in Vegas nightclubs. These claims sound like a smear to undermine a strong FBI Director. I stand with Kash!”