(PartiallyPolitics.com) – An FBI informant was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of disseminating “false derogatory information” about President Joe Biden, his son Hunter Biden, and their alleged connections with the Ukrainian energy firm, Burisma Holding. The indictment, announced by Special Counsel David Weiss, was issued in California’s Central District and includes charges of making false statements and creating fictitious records, both serious offenses.
The informant, Alexander Smirnov, is accused of fabricating claims that the Bidens received $5 million each for facilitating the ouster of a Ukrainian prosecutor, allegations that have now been deemed unfounded. This development could potentially undermine the impeachment efforts by House Republicans against President Biden, which were partly based on Smirnov’s assertions.
According to Weiss’ office, Smirnov is alleged to have transformed his ordinary business interactions with Burisma into baseless bribery accusations against President Biden, driven by a prejudice against Biden’s presidential campaign.
Despite this, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer insists that their investigation into Biden is not solely reliant on Smirnov’s information, but also on a substantial body of evidence including banking records and witness statements that suggest Joe Biden was aware of and involved in his family’s business ventures.
Smirnov was apprehended at the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and made a court appearance without entering a plea. He faces a potential maximum sentence of 25 years if convicted.
The indictment details Smirnov’s provision of fabricated information to the FBI about a former official from the Obama-Biden administration and his son, in the context of the 2020 presidential campaign. This misinformation included allegations about Burisma executives hiring Hunter Biden for protection and purported payments to the Bidens to influence legal proceedings in Ukraine.
These allegations by Smirnov had fueled claims that Joe Biden, through Hunter, exerted pressure on Ukraine to dismiss prosecutor Viktor Shokin, who was investigating Burisma at the time.
In light of the indictment, a spokesperson for Senator Chuck Grassley emphasized the necessity for full disclosure of the evidence supporting the Justice Department’s case against Smirnov, urging the Biden administration to be transparent in its proceedings.
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