Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) accused FBI Director Kash Patel of authorizing more than $1 million in bonus payments to a small group of agents, alleging the money functioned as a taxpayer-funded “slush fund” for loyalists within the bureau.
The allegations were outlined in a June 15 letter sent by the Maryland Democrat, who serves as the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee.
According to Raskin, information provided to the committee indicates that several agents received recurring payments despite already earning salaries at the federal pay cap.
The committee said some recipients collected nearly $8,000 every two weeks through bonus payments authorized under Patel’s leadership.
Raskin’s office said it confirmed that multiple agents received at least five consecutive payments, bringing their additional compensation to nearly $40,000 each.
The letter alleges that bonus payments were issued so rapidly that FBI reserve accounts designated for such awards were depleted.
According to the committee, some payments were reportedly returned after available funds were exhausted.
“Why are these agents receiving extra pay simply for doing their jobs?” Raskin wrote in the letter addressed to Patel.
“Are they, in fact, collecting bonus compensation for engaging in actions outside of their duties and outside of the law?” he added.
Raskin demanded an explanation for the payments and questioned whether the bonuses complied with federal law governing compensation for government employees.
The FBI did not respond to a request for comment cited in the report.
As the minority party in the House, Democrats currently lack the authority to compel the FBI to provide records related to the allegations.
Raskin alleged that many of the payments went to agents assigned to Patel’s “director’s advisory team,” a unit established in 2025.
According to the report, the team was created to review government records and internal bureau documents related to investigations involving President Donald Trump and his allies.
The allegations follow reporting by Notus, which said the advisory team had been referred to internally as a “payback squad” focused on pursuing politically motivated cases, per The Guardian.
Raskin’s letter also raised concerns about agents assigned to Patel’s security detail, suggesting the payments may have served purposes beyond routine compensation.
The congressman referenced reporting by The Atlantic that alleged Patel engaged in excessive drinking and erratic behavior while serving as FBI director.
According to the letter, members of Patel’s protective detail accompanied him during personal outings described in that reporting.
Patel has denied the allegations and filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick.
Raskin’s correspondence also highlighted what he described as politically motivated dismissals within the bureau.
Among those mentioned were former Acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll, Jan. 6 investigator Steven Jensen and several counterintelligence agents who had been tracking Iranian threats.
The agents were reportedly dismissed shortly before the U.S. launched military strikes against Iran.
Raskin requested records identifying recipients of the bonus payments, the total amounts distributed and any internal legal reviews related to the compensation.
The congressman gave Patel until June 29 to provide the requested information and respond to the allegations detailed in the letter.
