Two former senior FBI officials have been charged with allegedly making false statements to Congress about their involvement in the investigation surrounding Hunter Biden’s laptop, with the case drawing scrutiny over its timing ahead of the November midterm elections.
Nikki Floris, 46, and Bradley Benavides, 56, appeared before federal Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui in Washington, DC, on Friday.
Each faces one count of allegedly lying to lawmakers about their work with the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force (FITF) and their roles in the Hunter Biden investigation.
Former FBI Officials Face Allegations of Lying to Congress
According to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the allegations concern testimony the two former officials gave to the House Judiciary Committee in 2023.
Floris, a former intelligence analyst who headed the FBI’s Washington Field Office, testified in July 2023.
Benavides, who previously served as deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, appeared before the committee in September that year.
Both are accused of making false statements about their involvement with the task force and the bureau’s investigation into Hunter Biden’s laptop.
The charges were filed through criminal complaints, meaning prosecutors have not yet obtained grand jury indictments in either case.
Judge Questions Timing of the Charges
The announcement of the charges just 10 days before the midterm elections prompted questions from the judge overseeing the initial proceedings, as well as concerns from the defendants’ attorneys.
During Friday’s hearing, Faruqui noted that both former agents had “sparkling backgrounds” from their years in law enforcement.
He also pointed out that the alleged conduct took place several years ago.
The judge questioned why prosecutors had waited so long to bring the cases and described the process leading to the charges as “strange.”
Faruqui instructed prosecutors to move quickly, noting that they had brought serious allegations against two decorated former agents.
He also rejected the prosecution’s request to postpone the preliminary hearing by more than two weeks.
“This is the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads,” Faruqui said before ordering the parties to return to court on Tuesday morning.
House Judiciary Committee Responds to the Case
The House Judiciary Committee reacted to the charges in a post on X, writing: “The cover-up didn’t work.”
The case has renewed scrutiny of the FBI’s handling of Hunter Biden’s laptop and the work of the Foreign Influence Task Force, which both defendants helped lead.
The task force was established to investigate foreign influence threats, including potential Russian disinformation.
Republicans have repeatedly criticised its activities and the bureau’s response to the laptop investigation.
The charges also come amid wider questions about the Justice Department’s adherence to internal guidance discouraging public or overt investigative actions during the 90 days before an election.
Hunter Biden Laptop Became a Political Flashpoint
Hunter Biden’s laptop became a major political controversy in the weeks leading up to the 2020 presidential election.
The device had been left at a repair shop in Delaware before it was obtained by Rudy Giuliani, a former lawyer for Donald Trump.
The New York Post subsequently published reports based on material from the laptop.
Republicans have since criticised the FBI’s handling of the material and its approach to investigating potential foreign influence surrounding the case.
Hunter Biden was later convicted of felony gun charges and separate tax offences.
His father, former President Joe Biden, pardoned him shortly before leaving office.
Senior Officials Defend the Prosecution
Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel welcomed the charges against the former agents in separate statements shared with the Daily Mail.
Patel described the alleged conduct as an example of weaponisation and said the bureau would not tolerate abuses of authority.
“As we’ve said repeatedly: Weaponization will never be tolerated at this FBI,” Patel said.
He added that anyone who abused a position of public trust would be held accountable.
Pirro also defended the prosecution, saying that false statements to Congress undermine democratic institutions, particularly when the individuals involved hold senior law enforcement positions.
“Lying to Congress by anyone strikes at the heart of our democratic system but when senior FBI agents lie to Congress believing they are above the law, it’s time to bring the hammer of justice down on them,” Pirro said on Friday.
Foreign Influence Task Force Previously Disbanded
The Foreign Influence Task Force has also been a target of Republican criticism over its role in examining possible foreign interference and disinformation.
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi disbanded the task force in one of her first official actions last year.
The latest charges against Floris and Benavides have placed renewed attention on the task force, the FBI’s handling of the Hunter Biden laptop investigation and the timing of the prosecution ahead of the midterm elections.
