'Fraud' FBI Director blasted by governor for 'private jet trip to Italy' paid by taxpayers

The Press Office of Gavin Newsom has criticized Kash Patel for using a Department of Justice plane to fly to Italy.

The FBI Director flew to Europe to attend the Winter Olympic Games, with CBS News claiming Patel orchestrated a flight to and from Italy to attend the hockey match. His plan to kick back at the sporting event has since been criticized by the Governor of California's press account on X, where a statement raging at the FBI Director has been released.

It reads, "WHY ARE TAXPAYERS PAYING FOR KASH KANT KATCH ’EM’S PRIVATE JET TRIP TO ITALY? WASTE, FRAUD, ABUSE!"

According to CBS News, "Public flight data reviewed by CBS News showed the FBI director took off on a government plane Thursday morning for an Air Force base in Italy, after a brief flight from Manassas, Virginia, to Joint Base Andrews, in Maryland Wednesday.

"Sources also confirmed to CBS News that Patel was en route to Milan, where he is planning to watch the Men's USA Olympic hockey team compete in the medal rounds."

FBI spokesman Ben Williamson went on to claim the trip is a legitimate one, as Patel plans on meeting with foreign law enforcement officials at the Olympic Games.

Williamson, posting to X, wrote, "[I]t's not a personal trip. Director Patel is on a trip that was planned months ago. It includes: partner meetings with Italian law enforcement and security officials (they invited the Director last July), meeting with Ambassador Fertitta (as a follow-up to our law enforcement roundtable he hosted in January), meetings with Legat staff, and more."

It comes after other allegations that Patel has used FBI aircraft for personal business, including to fly to a concert by his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins.

Patel came under pressure earlier this month after he was accused of lying to Congress by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY). The Kentucky Republican made the allegation in a social media exchange with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, whom Massie prodded to unredact the names of potential co-conspirators to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.