A former FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, pleaded guilty on Monday to providing false information to federal authorities about President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, months before the 2020 presidential election.
Smirnov, who worked with the FBI as a confidential source beginning in 2010, falsely claimed in June 2020 that officials from Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company that employed Hunter Biden, had paid $5 million each to Joe and Hunter Biden during Joe Biden's tenure as vice president. These claims were made just before Biden became the presumptive Democratic nominee for the presidency.
Key Role in Impeachment Inquiry
House Republicans previously cited a government document tied to Smirnov’s claims as a key element in their impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden. Both Bidens have denied any wrongdoing related to the Burisma allegations.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing Agreement
Smirnov entered his plea in federal court in Los Angeles, admitting to causing the creation of a false record in a federal investigation. He also pleaded guilty to tax evasion in a separate indictment unsealed last month, acknowledging he failed to report over $2 million in income from 2020 to 2022.
Prosecutors and Smirnov’s attorneys have agreed to recommend a prison sentence of four to six years, followed by one year of supervised release. Smirnov also faces restitution payments of approximately $675,000.
The plea agreement credits Smirnov for time already served in detention since his arrest in February.
Background and Allegations
Court documents revealed that Smirnov expressed political bias against Biden in messages to his FBI handler in May 2020, shortly before making the false bribery claims. Prosecutors have alleged that Smirnov met with Russian intelligence officials in November 2020 and continued “actively peddling new lies” that could impact U.S. elections.
The case against Smirnov was pursued by Special Counsel David Weiss, who also investigated Hunter Biden on gun and tax charges.
Hunter Biden’s Legal Troubles
Hunter Biden, convicted on federal gun charges in June, pleaded guilty to tax charges in September. President Joe Biden pardoned his son earlier this month, ahead of his sentencing for both cases.
Smirnov’s sentencing is scheduled for next month, bringing closure to a case that has further entangled the Bidens in politically charged controversies.
