Judge Scolds Prosecutors in Case Tied to Hunter Biden Laptop

A federal judge has criticized the Justice Department's handling of a criminal case against two former FBI officials accused of making false statements to Congress regarding their knowledge of a laptop that the Justice Department claims belonged to Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui rejected an amended criminal complaint filed by prosecutors that added an obstruction charge against former officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides. The judge stated the complaint was improperly submitted without necessary court approval.

During a hearing, an agent involved in the case testified that the investigation was initiated following a July speech by then-President Donald Trump about election interference and was mandated by then-FBI Director Kash Patel. The agent, Bryan Witt, indicated he had concerns the investigation might be political and considered it a "huge distraction."

Witt testified that Patel directed the investigation after Trump's speech, which amplified claims about the 2020 election. The investigation aimed to explore suspicions from the Trump administration that the FBI had suppressed intelligence potentially harmful to the Bidens.

Defense lawyers argued that the prosecution was politically motivated. The judge's rebuke represents a setback for the Justice Department, particularly given its recent actions ahead of midterm elections. Unsealed documents in a separate case also revealed attempts to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey.

Faruqui described the filing of an unsigned criminal complaint as "inappropriate," citing the presumption of innocence. He noted several atypical aspects of the case, including the decision to file charges via complaint, typically used in situations involving imminent danger or disrupted crimes.

The case accuses Floris and Benavides of downplaying their knowledge of a laptop that Hunter Biden allegedly abandoned at a computer repair shop in 2019. Prosecutors contend that their professed lack of knowledge impeded a congressional investigation in 2023, as they had participated in discussions about the laptop while leading the now-disbanded FBI Foreign Influence Task Force.

Lawyers for the defense challenged this, questioning the motive for lying and pointing out that Benavides was questioned long after leaving his task force position about events that occurred years prior.

The laptop issue first gained public attention during the final weeks of the 2020 presidential race. The New York Post reported on the laptop's contents, which included emails related to Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings. Concerns about Russian involvement were raised, though then-Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe stated there were no signs of Russian actors.

Hunter Biden was later convicted on gun and tax charges, and President Joe Biden pardoned his son in late 2024.