FBI source charged with lying about Biden bribe claims

A former FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, 43, faces charges of making false statements regarding an alleged bribery scheme involving a Ukrainian company, President Joe Biden, and his son Hunter.

Smirnov stands accused of falsely claiming that the Bidens received payments from the energy company Burisma. According to the Justice Department, Smirnov’s motivation for providing false statements to the FBI stemmed from his personal dislike of President Biden.

Republicans had previously cited Smirnov’s allegations as part of their efforts to impeach President Biden. Despite Hunter Biden’s consistent denial of the accusations, he is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee later this month.

Smirnov was apprehended in Las Vegas upon his return from an international trip. The Justice Department has charged him with making false statements and fabricating records.

In a 37-page indictment released by Special Counsel David Weiss, who oversees the investigation into Hunter Biden, Smirnov is accused of intentionally providing the FBI with “false derogatory information” about the president and his son in June 2020.

If convicted, Mr Smirnov faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.