A former FBI informant has been charged with fabricating a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden, his son Hunter, and a Ukrainian energy company, which is central to the Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress.
False Allegations Uncovered
In June 2020, Alexander Smirnov falsely informed the FBI that executives linked to the Ukrainian energy firm Burisma had paid Hunter and Joe Biden $5 million each in 2015 or 2016, as outlined in an indictment.
Protect Us
Court documents reveal that Smirnov,43, told his handler that an executive purportedly stated they hired Hunter Biden to “protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems.”
Challenging Bribery Allegations
Investigations reveal Smirnov’s interactions with Burisma were normal business engagements in 2017, challenging his earlier bribery allegations made during Joe Biden’s presidential campaign.
Smirnov’s Court Appearance
Charged with making a false statement, Smirnov appeared in court in Las Vegas on Thursday. He refrained from entering a plea during the hearing.
Impeachment Inquiry
The accusations have significantly influenced Republican-led congressional actions against the Biden family. In December, they formally authorized an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
Unreliable Allegations
A lawyer representing Hunter Biden, who is scheduled to provide a deposition later this month, remarked that the charges demonstrate that the investigation relies on dishonest and unreliable allegations and witnesses.
End Impeachment Inquiry
Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, urged for the termination of the Biden impeachment inquiry, labeling the Republican allegations against the president as consistently based on falsehoods constructed from conspiracy theories.
Stop Promoting Nonsense
Raskin called on Speaker Mike Johnson, Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, and House Republicans “to stop promoting this nonsense and end their doomed impeachment inquiry.”
Inquiry Continues
Despite the informant’s credibility being questioned, James Comer emphasizes that the impeachment inquiry is supported by a broad evidence base like witness testimony and bank records, not solely on Smirnov’s claims.
No Authority to Influence
According to the indictment, prosecutors assert that Smirnov had interactions with Burisma executives, which were routine and occurred in 2017 after President Barack Obama and his Vice President Biden had departed from office, a period during which Biden would not have had the authority to influence U.S. policy.
False Narrative
Prosecutors noted that during his testimony with the FBI in September, Smirnov promoted a “new false narrative,” alleging that he had met with Russian officials.
Maximum Sentence
Smirnov could receive a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison if found guilty.
Charges by DOJ
The charges were brought forth by Justice Department special counsel David Weiss, who has also indicted Hunter Biden on firearm and tax violations.
Smirnov’s Arrest
Weiss stated that Smirnov was arrested on Wednesday at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, upon his arrival in the U.S. from overseas.
Burisma Controversy
Burisma and Hunter Biden’s involvement with the company has faced intense scrutiny due to unsubstantiated allegations from Republican former President Donald Trump and others, suggesting that Democrat Joe Biden improperly intervened to benefit his son’s business ventures in Ukraine.
White House Response
The White House has refuted these allegations.
Continuing Effort
While the impeachment inquiry into Biden concerning his son’s business affairs has been slow-moving in the House, the committee continues its efforts.
Upcoming Testimony
Hunter Biden is anticipated to testify before the committee later this month.
“Political Agendas, Not Facts”
His attorney, Abbe Lowell, said, “For months, we have warned that Republicans have built their conspiracies about Hunter and his family on lies told by people with political agendas, not facts,” adding, “We were right, and the air is out of their balloon.”
Court Hearing
A detention hearing for Smirnov, who was apprehended at the Las Vegas airport upon returning to the U.S. from abroad, has been scheduled for February 20 by a judge.
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