The Justice Department’s top ethics adviser claimed he was sacked because U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel wanted to hang on to lavish gifts that violated government ethical rules—including some exemplary cigars.

Joseph Tirrell, the former director of the DOJ’s Departmental Ethics Office, said he had to vigorously push back against Bondi’s staff over their keeping a box of cigars gifted by mixed-martial-arts star Conor McGregor, The New York Times reported on Monday.

“We got a request about some cigars from Conor McGregor and a soccer ball from FIFA,” said Tirrell, who oversaw ethics at the DOJ for seven years and previously spent 11 years at the FBI.

“And I felt like I really had to go to the mattress to convince the A.G.’s office: You can pay for the item o

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