The 2005 Florida Bar disclosure shows FBI Director Kash Patel reported two alcohol-related arrests from his youth: an underage public-intoxication arrest at a University of Richmond basketball game and a public-urination arrest in New York City while he was a Pace law student. Patel says he paid fines for both incidents and described them as out of character. The revelations come as Patel disputes recent reporting about alleged on-duty intoxication and has filed a $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic.
Disclosure: FBI Director Kash Patel Reported Two Alcohol-Related Arrests In 2005 Bar Filing
FBI director Kash Patel
A newly surfaced 2005 disclosure letter shows that FBI Director Kash Patel reported two alcohol-related arrests from his youth when he applied to the Florida Bar, according to reporting by The Intercept. Patel, now 46, told bar officials he paid fines for both incidents and described them as out of character.
Details Of The Incidents
Patel wrote that the first arrest occurred while he was a junior at the University of Richmond. He was arrested for public intoxication after being escorted out of a basketball game; he was underage at the time and paid a fine.
The second incident, Patel said, happened in New York City in February or March 2005 while he was a law student at Pace University. He described going out with friends, visiting several local bars, and then attempting to relieve themselves while walking home. Before they could do so a police cruiser stopped the group and they were arrested for public urination; Patel states a fine was levied and paid.
"In a gross deviation from appropriate conduct, we attempted to relieve our bladders while walking home. Before we could even do so, a police cruiser stopped the group. We were then arrested for public urination. The outcome of this charge is as follows, fine levied and paid," Patel wrote in the disclosure.
Patel also told the bar authorities that these incidents "are not representative of my usual conduct or behavior."
Current Context And Dispute
The disclosure was published amid broader scrutiny of Patel's alleged alcohol use while serving as FBI director. Patel has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic after it published reporting that included allegations—reported by Sarah Fitzpatrick and sourced to several people—about an April 10 incident in which Patel reportedly had trouble accessing an FBI computer system and panicked, and other episodes in which his security detail allegedly had difficulty waking him because he appeared intoxicated.
Patel denies The Atlantic's reporting. Separately, video from February shows him in Italy celebrating the U.S. men's hockey team's gold-medal win and drinking a beer in the team's locker room.
Sources: The Intercept (disclosure letter), reporting in The Atlantic, and additional coverage summarized by Mediaite.
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