Despite FBI Denials, Recent Pattern Changes Tell Different Story on Director Wray’s Jet Usage at Your Expense

In the last few months, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray was under fire for many allegations against him. “premier law enforcement agency” The Department of Justice.

Perhaps the most boring allegation is that Director Wray is personally liable for misuse of the FBI’s $60 million Gulfstream 550 jet – an allegation the FBI’s press office has denied. This story was published by Brandon Drey, The Daily Wire This seemed to support allegations that federal whistleblowers made to the House Judiciary Committee alleging that Director Wray had abused his access the FBI’s G550. New evidence supports the claim that Director Wray abused his access to the FBI’s G550 despite the FBI’s denial.

(FlightAware.com, February 20, 2023)

A pattern break over the past few years saw the FBI G550 (tail number N708JH) depart Manassas Regional for Wray’s Fulton County weekend getaway without stopping at Reagan National. Whistleblowers claimed that Wray often summoned Reagan’s jet to avoid traffic. These whistleblowers are Wray’s staff members who were able to access details about Wray’s travels, including his tail number and patterns of behavior. The FBI whistleblower (5 USC 223,(A)(2)US law defines it explicitly as “whistleblower”. “reasonably believes evidences” Federal officials may violate any rule, policy, and law. “gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.”

Wray was accused of flying the FBI jet to an airport 40 minutes closer to his home at significant cost to the U.S taxpayer, just for convenience. It is not difficult to find I-66 traffic outside of DC. This can lead to commute times of up 60 minutes. Reagan National is 4 miles closer to the J. Edgar Hoover Building than Manassas. With the help of emergency lights, a motorcade and emergency lights, the shorter drive can be completed in less than 10 minutes during rush hour traffic.

Despite his self-esteem, it is unlikely that the FBI Director will be able to justify the $2,500 runway fees, the much higher fuel consumption and 40 mile flight time, and the increased wear on the government asset. All this for the sake of avoiding an hour in traffic. His government salary, regardless of how much Director Wray may be paid as a private sector lawyer, is far less than what he actually earns. reported To accept the job, he was paid $9.2M. FBI Director Comeyhttps://www.newsweek.com/fbi-director-christopher-wray-pay-cut-635176″>reportedly Wray made $172,000 the previous year. The argument is strong that an hour spent behind the wheel of a three-suburban motorcade in his back seat is worth many thousand dollars for the American tax payers. In the three-year period, this flight was documented more than 125 time by Daily Wire. Chris Wray was the FBI Director since 2005. On the low side, it is possible to estimate that there was more than $600,000 of wasteful spending during the time period covered. With an extensive accounting such as a private company, this cost could easily double.

Drey was at the time Drey’s Article The National Press Office of the FBI stated that this was published: “The FBI is not going to comment on specific plane locations because of operational and security sensitivities. The FBI Director’s use of FBI aircraft is long-established and continues due to the mission needs of the FBI and the FBI Director’s security requirements.” Director James Comey isn’t the only one who uses the FBI planes for personal travel. Director James Comey was indeed questioned about his use of private aircrafts from the FBI for personal travel. Director William Sessions was, however, a href=”https://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/20/us/defiant-fbi-chief-removed-from-job-by-the-president.html”>ultimately Removed Before the 6 year mark in his 10-year appointment Over abuse of FBI’s jets. In fact, the purchase of the luxury aircraft was not authorized for personal or professional travel by the FBI Director and his security detail but to be used in counterterrorism (CT). Although the Director has priority over the CT operations teams that are responsible for CT evidence collection and investigation, Congress did not authorize this asset. The CT teams and the evidence collection response team from FBI Headquarters use it instead of having priority. “when it is available” To transport sensitive source, witnesses and evidence. But, this is contingent upon the FBI Director’s travel plans. Sources involved in this CT cases have already shared.

The Daily Wire is not the first to report on questionable usage of this multimillion-dollar tool. New York Post writer Miranda Devine noted questionable aircraft use In an October 16, 2022 article, Director Wray discusses his regular flights to Fulton County in Georgia, where he maintains his primary residence. To any federal service member with a mobility agreement, this might seem scandalous. The appointment of the FBI Director comes with a 10-year term. This job is located in Washington, DC and does not allow for the possibility of moving to another part. Yet, Chris Wray did not relocate his family to the area where he took a job for a decade halfway through his term. The commitment of the FBI’s highest ranking federal official is hard to believe, given the number of new FBI Special Agents moving their entire lives to work at one of the 56 local field offices. 

The Subcommittee on the Weaponization Federal Government must be careful not to overlook boring and procedural violations in rule, law or policy. This includes misuse of government resources and the federal whistleblower protections. These types of allegations are not as well-known as those involving illegal investigations into First Amendment protected areas, or the 40,000 hours of Jan 6 video footage. But this type of technical and demonstrable malfeasance has been the key to the downfall of corporate and government officials for decades. When “produce the receipts” The Left’s new pitbull is being discreditated by those trying to discredit it. To do this, it is useful to have fuel receipts, runaway fees and maintenance schedules in hand.