The impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden, which was launched by some Republicans in 2023, was based on false and fabricated allegations made by an ex-FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov. Smirnov claimed that he had evidence of a bribery scheme involving the Bidens and a Ukrainian energy company, Burisma. However, Smirnov was arrested and indicted in 2024 for lying to the FBI and creating a fake record of his claims. Smirnov was also found to have contacts with Russian intelligence and other foreign agents, who may have influenced or exploited him for their own interests.
What are the allegations that Smirnov made against the Bidens?
Smirnov made the following allegations against the Bidens, which were used by some Republicans to initiate the impeachment inquiry against President Biden:
- Smirnov claimed that he had met with Burisma executives in 2015 and 2016, who told him that they had hired Hunter Biden, the son of then-Vice President Joe Biden, to sit on their board and to protect them from a corruption investigation by the Ukrainian prosecutor general, Viktor Shokin.
- Smirnov claimed that he had obtained documents and recordings that showed that Burisma had paid $5 million each to Joe and Hunter Biden, as part of the bribery scheme. Smirnov also claimed that he had witnessed a meeting between Joe Biden and Burisma’s founder, Mykola Zlochevsky, in Kyiv in 2016, where they discussed the deal.
- Smirnov claimed that he had reported his findings to the FBI in 2017, and that he had been cooperating with the FBI since then. Smirnov also claimed that he had been in contact with Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, who had obtained a copy of his FBI report and had shared it with other Republicans.
What are the charges that Smirnov faces for lying to the FBI?
Smirnov faces the following charges for lying to the FBI and creating a false record of his allegations:
- Smirnov is charged with two counts of making false statements to the FBI, which carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine each. Smirnov lied to the FBI about his sources, his evidence, and his motives for making the allegations against the Bidens. Smirnov also lied to the FBI about his contacts and transactions with foreign agents, including Russian intelligence.
- Smirnov is also charged with one count of creating a false and fictitious record, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Smirnov created a fake FBI report, known as an FD-1023, which contained his allegations against the Bidens. Smirnov also created fake documents and recordings, which he claimed to be evidence of his allegations. Smirnov used his fake record to solicit money from potential investors and donors, based on his false claims.
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What are the links between Smirnov and Russian intelligence?
According to the court documents, Smirnov had contacts and communications with Russian intelligence and other foreign agents, who may have influenced or exploited him for their own interests. Some of the links between Smirnov and Russian intelligence are:
- Smirnov told the FBI that he had been in touch with a Russian intelligence officer, who had provided him with information and guidance on his allegations against the Bidens. Smirnov also told the FBI that he had met with the Russian intelligence officer in Moscow in 2017, and that he had received $100,000 from him.
- Smirnov had multiple phone calls and text messages with a person who used a Russian phone number, and who identified himself as “Ivan”. The person claimed to be a friend of Smirnov’s FBI handler, and offered to help Smirnov with his allegations against the Bidens. The person also asked Smirnov to send him copies of his FBI report and his evidence.
- Smirnov had frequent interactions and transactions with a company that was based in Cyprus, and that was owned by a Russian national. The company claimed to be interested in investing in Smirnov’s allegations against the Bidens, and paid Smirnov more than $1 million. The company also asked Smirnov to provide them with his FBI report and his evidence, and to travel to Cyprus to meet with them.
The impeachment inquiry against President Biden was based on false and fabricated allegations made by an ex-FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, who had contacts with Russian intelligence and other foreign agents. Smirnov was arrested and indicted in 2024 for lying to the FBI and creating a false record of his allegations. Smirnov’s case is a reminder of the dangers and risks of foreign interference and disinformation in US politics and elections.
