FBI Director Kash Patel flew today on the FBI’s Gulfstream jet bound for a trip to the winter Olympics in Italy to watch one of his favorite sports: men’s ice hockey, according to three people familiar with his plans.
Patel, an avid hockey player and fan, will be at the Olympic festivities and plans to attend the bronze medal competition in men’s ice hockey on Saturday and the competition for the gold medal on Sunday, the people said.
An FBI official confirmed Patel’s travel plans, but said he has several official government purposes for attending, including a meeting with an ambassador, briefings on Olympics security and other government meetings.
Patel’s travel to Italy was reported Thursday afternoon by CBS.
Government accounts estimate it costs U.S. taxpayers at least $5,000 per flight hour for the FBI Gulfstream to fly, meaning Patel’s trip to Milan is likely to cost as much as $75,000.
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson tweeted late Thursday that Patel’s trip was not personal and he was invited months ago.
“The FBI also has a major role in Olympic security – as we do with the World Cup, F1, and more – so we have a U.S. consulate briefing on Olympic security and current FBI posture, as well as thanking FBI personnel on the ground,” Williamson wrote.
As director, Patel is required to fly on the FBI jet for his travel in order to ensure he’s able to quickly return to Washington in an emergency, or be available for secure communications during a crisis involving a mass casualty event or national security threat. He is also required to reimburse the taxpayers for personal travel up to the cost of a commercial flight.
The FBI official said Patel would reimburse the government for any portion of his travel that may be personal, but emphasized he is going to Italy for government business.
The last known instance of an FBI director traveling to an Olympics setting was in November 2003, when then-Director Robert Mueller went to Greece for a two-day visit. But Mueller made his trip eight months before the Olympic events to review security preparations for the upcoming Summer Olympics there.
Carol Leonnig is a senior investigative reporter with MS NOW.
Ken Dilanian is the justice and intelligence correspondent for MS NOW.