Ex-FBI Officials Charged With Lying to Congress About Hunter Biden Laptop Probe

Two former FBI officials, Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, were charged Friday with lying to Congress about their involvement in investigations related to Hunter Biden's laptop. The charges stem from a probe into their work on the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force (FITF) during the 2020 election.

According to DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro and FBI Director Kash Patel, Floris and Benavides allegedly misrepresented their roles, with one claiming they only learned about the laptop from Wikipedia, despite evidence suggesting their involvement in shaping the public narrative surrounding it. Pirro stated that the officials "helped shape the public narrative" concerning the laptop.

Floris led the FITF as Deputy Assistant Director from mid-2019 to mid-2022, while Benavides served as FITF Section Chief from mid-2019 through the 2020 election. Both reportedly testified that the FITF was not involved in the Hunter Biden investigations. However, federal authorities claim that documentary evidence, communications, and witness accounts contradict their testimonies.

Patel added that Floris is privately on record as having claimed to be "running a shadow government" during the 2020 election in her capacity with the FITF. A source familiar with the charges indicated that the accusations are based on transcribed interviews the former officials gave to the House Judiciary Committee in July and September 2023.

Floris and Benavides self-surrendered and are facing the charges. Representatives for the individuals could not be immediately reached for comment.