A former FBI informant has pleaded guilty to fabricating claims about President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. Alexander Smirnov, who reported in 2020 that the Bidens received over $10 million in bribes from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, admitted to lying about the allegations.
Smirnov claimed the Bidens received the money in exchange for helping to “protect” the company from legal issues. These claims became central to a Republican-led impeachment inquiry against President Biden.
As part of a plea agreement, Smirnov pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about the bribery allegations. He also pleaded guilty to evading taxes on more than $2 million in unreported income.
Smirnov now faces up to six years in prison, though prosecutors and defense attorneys will recommend a sentence of at least two years. He must also pay restitution of more than half a million dollars.
Smirnov, who had routine business contacts with Burisma in 2017, alleged the Bidens each received $5 million in bribe money after expressing bias against Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential campaign, according to the indictment.
Smirnov’s claims were included in an FBI report that was later released by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and used by Republicans in their effort to impeach Biden. There was never any public evidence to support the bribery claims.
