FBI informant fabricates false allegations against Bidens, reveals Russian interference

Prosecutors revealed that information regarding President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, originated from associates of Russian intelligence.

Alexander Smirnov, a 43-year-old dual US and Israeli national, stands indicted for concocting claims suggesting that Hunter Biden solicited multimillion-dollar bribes from the Ukrainian company Burisma during his tenure on its board, purportedly to shield it from investigation while Joe Biden served as vice president.

According to special counsel David Weiss and other prosecutors, Smirnov’s dissemination of misinformation extends beyond the 2020 election cycle. They assert that Smirnov, following meetings with Russian intelligence officials in November, continues to actively promote falsehoods that could impact future US elections. The ramifications of Smirnov’s false accusations against the Bidens persist to this day, the prosecutors added.

This indictment undermines efforts by congressional Republicans to impeach Biden, as they had heralded Smirnov’s evidence as confirmation of the Bidens’ alleged involvement in criminal activities. The narrative that Hunter Biden exploited his father’s influence for personal gain has been a cornerstone of the Republican argument, notably championed by former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly accused Joe Biden of corruption.

Court documents reveal that Smirnov had been operating as a confidential source for the FBI for over a decade, providing information for criminal investigations. His recent admission during a custodial interview on February 14 acknowledges the involvement of individuals linked to Russian intelligence in spreading allegations about Hunter Biden.

Furthermore, Smirnov’s account of events, initially disclosed to his US handler in June 2020, has been deemed fabrications. Allegations that Burisma executives paid hefty sums to Joe Biden and Hunter Biden to intervene in a Ukrainian criminal investigation were determined to be unfounded.

The prosecutors assert that Smirnov distorted routine business interactions with Burisma into bribery allegations against Joe Biden, driven by his bias against Biden and his presidential candidacy.

Smirnov faces charges of making false statements and creating false records in connection with an FBI investigation. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison.