The head of the FBI reportedly ordered a security team to escort his girlfriend’s pal home after a night of partying in Nashville.
Kash Patel, 45, has asked agents protecting his girlfriend to take one of her friend’s home, according to three people with knowledge of the incidents.
MS Now reports that Patel’s girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, 27, has asked agents to drive her friend home at least twice.
The sources, who were given anonymity, said the security detail objected to diverting from their assignment – but Patel told them they must do as Wilkins requested.
On one occasion the FBI director allegedly called the commander of his girlfriend’s security team and yelled at him to drive her friend home, sparking fresh scrutiny over Patel’s use of government funding.
However these claims have been disputed.
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson said the events were ‘made up and did not happen’, adding that they were ‘1,000% false’.
He said: ‘I’d like to give some [behind the scenes] insight into how this hogwash got printed.
‘I got this allegation on Tuesday. It sounded made up and I told the reporter so.
‘I went and checked with everyone involved – Alexis (who doesn’t even drink), the director, the detail and more – all of whom said it didn’t happen.
‘I couldn’t find any corroboration or record of it whatsoever. I went back to the reporter and said “everyone involved says this is false — can you give me any other info so I can provide some proof beyond just a denial? A date? Name of the friend? Anything.’
The FBI reportedly provides security for Wilkins at Patel’s request despite the bureau never having provided a separate security team for a director’s girlfriend.
While spouses of previous FBI chiefs have received periodic protection in the past, this was typically only when travelling with their partners and the director’s security team, according to MS Now.
It is understood to be made up of members of an elite Swat team based in Nashville, where Wilkins lives part-time for her work as a country music performer.
The claims have sparked concerns about Patel, who was appointed by US President Trump, using FBI resources to drive his girlfriend around for events and appointments.
Last month it was revealed that the FBI boss sent two members of the Swat team to defend Wilkins during a performance at a National Rifle Association (NRA) event, where she sang the national anthem.
According to the New York Times, Patel allegedly decided to ‘rip into’ the team’s commander when they left the event after determining there was little threat.
The FBI chief was also accused of making unreasonably extensive use of a government jet, prompting an investigation by Democrats on the House judiciary committee.
He claimed this was necessary as he is not allowed to fly on commercial planes.
While FBI directors are required to use government planes, they must reimburse the costs of personal travel.
Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the panel, wrote in a letter: ‘You used a $60million government jet for an overnight date with your girlfriend, a Scottish golfing excursion with your buddies and a trip to a luxury hunting retreat called Boondoggle Ranch.’
Patel defended himself on Fox News, saying: ‘I’m entitled to a personal life, just like my other agency-head counterparts with their partners.
‘Do I support my girlfriend? Absolutely. Do I take trips with her? Absolutely.
‘But when they’re talking about raid jackets and Velcro and FBI plane use, they’re not talking about the facts, because they know this FBI is succeeding in ways prior leadership failed.’
A leaked FBI report also alleges that Patel would not disembark a flight he took to Utah following the shooting of Charlie Kirk until agents brought him a medium-sized raid jacket to wear in front of cameras.
Patel rejected these claims as ‘100% false’, adding: ‘One of my agents handed me a jacket and said “hey boss, you should probably wear this, we’re going to the command centre”.
‘I said I would be honoured to wear that.’
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