Kash Patel appeals dismissal of defamation lawsuit against ex-FBI official Figliuzzi

FBI Director Kash Patel made the application on Thursday. attractive regarding the recent dismissal of a defamation lawsuit against former FBI official Frank Figliuzzi.

Patel had sued Figliuzzi in federal court in Houston, claiming she was defamed after Figliuzzi said in 2025 that Patel “appeared in nightclubs much more often than on the seventh floor” of the FBI’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

U.S. District Court Judge George Hanks Jr. during his April 21 hearing. decision Dismissing Patel’s lawsuit, the official said Figliuzzi’s statement was “rhetorical exaggeration that cannot constitute libel.”

“Accordingly, Director Patel has not made a claim against Figliuzzi and his case should be dismissed,” Hanks wrote.

Patel’s bid to overturn that decision will be heard by the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

Hanks dismissed Patel’s lawsuit, a day after the FBI director filed an unrelated $250 million defamation lawsuit against Patel in D.C. federal court. Atlantic magazine.

The suit is about an Atlantic article Patel allegedly abused alcohol.

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