Business Insider reported in October 2023 that in the summer of 2021 Thiel “began providing information as a ‘confidential human source’.” Charles Johnson, a longtime associate of Thiel’s and a far-right figure, said he introduced Thiel to the agent, Johnathan Buma. An anonymous source corroborated that, and Insider said another source confirmed Thiel was added to the FBI’s roster of registered informants. A source close to Thiel said they could not confirm Thiel was a source, but that he “did speak to Buma occasionally.” A copy of related reporting sits in House Judiciary Committee records. [1][2]

The inspector general’s 2025 announcement says Buma was charged with disclosing confidential informant information to a publisher. It names no source. [3]