Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has raised concerns that FBI Director Kash Patel may have authorized special payments from taxpayer funds to certain FBI executives and agents. In a letter obtained by MS NOW, Raskin stated that there are reports suggesting Patel used part of the FBI's budget to make unlawful bonus payments to agents on his protective detail and members of his Director’s Advisory Team, which Raskin described as a group of agents willing to follow Patel's orders.
The letter claims that Patel has issued over $1 million in awards, with some payments reaching nearly $8,000 every two weeks, despite some recipients already maxing out their federal salaries. Raskin expressed concern that these payments could violate federal law and suggested they may be intended to ensure the silence of agents regarding Patel's alleged misconduct.
Raskin's letter also requests the FBI to produce documents related to these payments. While the minority Democrats currently lack the authority to compel such production, they could gain this power if they retake the House in the upcoming elections. The FBI has not commented on the matter.