FBI Director Kash Patel has filed a defamation lawsuit against MSNBC columnist Frank Figliuzzi over false claims that the FBI chief spends more time at nightclubs than at bureau headquarters. The lawsuit, filed June 2 in Texas, accuses Figliuzzi of fabricating specific lies about Patel’s whereabouts and professional conduct.
The controversy began during a May 2 broadcast of Morning Joe, when Figliuzzi made unsubstantiated claims about Patel’s attendance at FBI headquarters. The former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence alleged that Patel had been visible at nightclubs far more than on the seventh floor of the Hoover Building in Washington, D.C. Figliuzzi also claimed that daily briefings to Patel had been reduced from every day to twice weekly.
According to court documents, Patel’s attorneys assert that Figliuzzi knew the nightclub allegations were false when he made them. The lawsuit emphasizes that since becoming FBI director, Patel has not spent a single minute inside any nightclub. Legal representatives argue that there was no basis for the defendant’s fabrication and that his use of the word “reportedly” was itself a fabrication designed to distance himself from what they characterize as a maliciously false statement.
The network was forced to issue a retraction just days after the initial broadcast. On May 5, Morning Joe co-host Jonathan Lemire acknowledged the error, stating that Figliuzzi had made a misstatement and that the network had not verified the nightclub claim. However, the correction did not include an apology to Patel.
Patel’s legal team contends that Figliuzzi’s statements were motivated by clear animus toward the FBI director. The lawsuit references previous critical commentary by Figliuzzi, who had described Patel as one of the most ill-suited Cabinet nominees of all time. In prior columns, Figliuzzi had written that Patel does not possess the FBI’s core values of fidelity, bravery, and integrity, and argued that the director lacks devotion to the Constitution while showing blind allegiance to former President Trump.
The complaint alleges that Figliuzzi, acting as a partisan commentator, was motivated to sensationalize and fabricate stories to advance his own name recognition at Patel’s expense. Court documents indicate that the defendant did not rely on reporting from any other sources but instead created the story entirely without factual basis. The lawsuit seeks damages for what it characterizes as deliberate defamation designed to discredit the FBI director.
During the original broadcast, Figliuzzi had described Patel’s alleged absence from headquarters as both a blessing and a curse due to his perceived lack of experience. The former FBI official suggested that chaos was prevalent within the bureau, with employees uncertain about daily operations. He also claimed that reports indicated Patel frequently traveled between Washington and his home in Las Vegas.
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson disputed Figliuzzi’s claims at the time, calling them bogus and noting that he observed Patel at headquarters daily. The spokesperson’s statement contradicted the narrative presented by the MSNBC analyst regarding the director’s attendance and engagement with bureau operations.
This lawsuit represents the latest in a series of legal actions initiated by Patel against media organizations. The FBI director has demonstrated a pattern of pursuing defamation cases against perceived adversaries, including previous unsuccessful litigation against other news outlets. His appointment to lead the FBI was controversial due to his limited senior law enforcement experience and history of promoting political conspiracy theories.
Figliuzzi served as a special agent for 25 years before becoming assistant director for counterintelligence at the FBI. He currently works as a senior national security and intelligence analyst for MSNBC and NBC News. The defendant has not responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit, while MSNBC has declined to provide statements about the ongoing litigation.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between the current FBI leadership and former bureau officials who have become media commentators. Patel’s legal strategy appears focused on challenging what he perceives as false narratives about his professional conduct and leadership capabilities. The Texas filing seeks financial damages and aims to establish legal precedent regarding accountability for unverified claims made by media personalities.
Representatives for Patel declined to comment on the lawsuit, while the FBI has not issued official statements regarding the matter. The case proceeds as Patel continues his tenure as FBI director amid ongoing scrutiny of his qualifications and leadership approach. The litigation underscores broader debates about media accountability and the challenges facing law enforcement officials in the current political climate.
