FBI informant accused of lying aAbout Bidens’ business dealings, special counsel alleges
In a significant development pertaining to the ongoing investigation into Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, special counsel David Weiss has levied charges against Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant. Smirnov stands accused of providing false information to investigators regarding the business affairs of Hunter Biden and President Biden.
The charges include allegations of making a false statement and fabricating a record within an FBI 1023 report, based on misleading information provided to authorities. Smirnov’s apprehension occurred at a Nevada airport on Wednesday, as confirmed by the Justice Department.
According to an indictment unveiled in the Central District of California, Smirnov purportedly engaged with his FBI handler in 2017 concerning Burisma Holdings, Limited, a Ukrainian company that enlisted Hunter Biden on its board. However, crucial details emerged only in June 2020, when Smirnov allegedly disclosed two meetings from 2015 or 2016, during which he claimed to have been informed about payments made to Hunter Biden to secure influence through his father.
Though neither President Biden nor his son are explicitly named in the indictment, descriptions provided therein align with their identities. Notably, the alleged false statements were made during a time when President Biden was a presidential candidate, implicating a politically sensitive context.
The indictment underscores the persistence of Smirnov’s alleged falsehoods, extending until September 2023, wherein he purportedly adjusted his narrative after purportedly meeting with Russian officials. Additionally, text messages exchanged in May 2020 between Smirnov and his FBI handler purportedly reveal a bias against President Biden, anticipating legal repercussions.
Moreover, the indictment challenges previous assertions by congressional Republicans, suggesting that Smirnov’s interactions with Burisma were misrepresented as bribery allegations against the Bidens. As investigations progress, it remains to be seen how this development will influence the broader discourse surrounding the Bidens’ business dealings and the ongoing legal proceedings against Hunter Biden.