FBI Director Kash Patel filed the defamation lawsuit on Monday. atlantic ocean Staff writer Sarah Fitzpatrick is seeking $250 million over an article she claims alerted co-workers to excessive drinking and unexcused absenteeism.
of articleThe article, published Friday, was based on interviews with more than 20 anonymous sources, including current and former FBI officials, agents and political operatives, and called Patel “erratic” and his actions a “national security vulnerability.” One of its most explosive claims was that Patel drank to the point of obvious intoxication at a private club in Washington and a lounge in Las Vegas, which he frequented on weekends. He said security guards had trouble waking him multiple times because he was “apparently intoxicated.” And sometimes SWAT-style break-through devices were called for because they couldn’t be reached behind locked doors.
Patel flew to Italy during the Winter Olympics in February and famously was in the U.S. men’s hockey team’s locker room after winning the gold medal. Patel was celebrating by drinking, as shown in a video that went viral on social media.
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The article also describes a dramatic April 10 episode in which Patel struggled to log on to a government computer, became convinced he had been fired, and frantically called aides to announce it. Nine people spoke to Fitzpatrick about their support efforts. The two called it a “freak out.” It turned out to be a technical error.
atlantic ocean He has not withdrawn from reporting.
“We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel and will vigorously defend it.” atlantic ocean and our journalists oppose this pointless lawsuit,” a company spokesperson said. defender In a statement.
Patel’s reaction before publication was combative. “Print it out. It’s all a lie. I’ll see you in court. Bring your checkbook,” he said.
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The lawsuit accuses The Atlantic of intentionally creating a timeline to prevent a meaningful response, sending 19 detailed complaints at 2:09 p.m., with a deadline of 4 p.m. on the day of publication. The FBI’s deputy director reportedly called the article “one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever read. It’s almost 100% completely false.” Mr Patel’s lawyers sent a detailed letter requesting more time before publication. The Atlantic ignored both and published them anyway, the complaint alleges.
Over the weekend, The Atlantic changed its headline from “Kash Patel’s erratic behavior could cost him job” to “FBI Director MIA.” Patel’s legal team called this a “stealth edit.”
The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
