Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, who is facing charges related to a bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden’s family, was taken back into custody in Las Vegas this week. Initially released by a judge, Smirnov was arrested at his lawyers’ offices after prosecutors in California asked for his custody status to be reconsidered.
Smirnov, who has not yet entered a plea, is facing charges of making false statements and creating a false record. Prosecutors allege that he falsely told his FBI handler that executives from Burisma paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each in 2015. Smirnov, who reportedly has ties to Russian intelligence, had also planned to meet with foreign intelligence contacts during an upcoming trip.
While U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts had initially released Smirnov on GPS monitoring, prosecutors quickly appealed to U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright in Los Angeles. Smirnov’s claims have been at the center of Republican efforts to investigate the Bidens, although no evidence has emerged to support his allegations. Democrats have called for an end to the probe, while Republicans have distanced themselves from Smirnov’s claims and continue to “follow the facts.”
Smirnov’s lawyers are pushing for an immediate hearing on his detention and advocating for his release, citing significant medical issues related to his eyes. They state that he has been living in Las Vegas for two years with his longtime girlfriend. The case continues to develop, with the outcome uncertain as legal proceedings move forward. Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing story.
