All articles tagged with #fbi informant
Originally Published 4 months ago — by PBS
House Speaker Mike Johnson clarified that he misspoke about Trump being an FBI informant in the Epstein case, stating he was unsure of his previous words and emphasizing that Trump was not a hindrance to the investigation. The House Oversight Committee plans to review visitor logs at Epstein's estate as part of their probe.
Originally Published 4 months ago — by CNN
House Speaker Mike Johnson clarified his earlier comments suggesting Trump was an FBI informant in the Epstein case, stating he was referencing statements from Epstein victims' attorney and emphasizing Trump's efforts to help law enforcement, while denying any direct knowledge of Trump's involvement.
Originally Published 4 months ago — by Rolling Stone
House Speaker Mike Johnson caused confusion by claiming Donald Trump was an FBI informant in the Epstein case, a statement that perplexed Trump administration officials and sparked widespread speculation about its meaning, amid ongoing debates over Epstein files and Trump's relationship with the scandal.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The New York Times
Former F.B.I. informant Alexander Smirnov, charged with falsely claiming that President Biden and his son Hunter accepted bribes, will be held in custody indefinitely due to a significant flight risk, as ruled by Judge Otis D. Wright II of Federal District Court in California. Prosecutors revealed new details about his rearrest, including the discovery of nine handguns in his apartment. Smirnov's lawyer plans to appeal the decision.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by POLITICO
Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, charged with lying to the FBI about the Bidens, will remain in jail until his trial, as ruled by a federal judge due to concerns about his history of making false statements and potential flight risk. Smirnov, who pleaded not guilty, was rearrested after being released by a Las Vegas magistrate judge. The charges against him stem from falsely claiming that executives of a Ukrainian energy company had paid bribes to President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, a claim that became part of the House Republicans' impeachment inquiry. Smirnov's lawyers argue that his ties to foreign governments were a result of his government work, but prosecutors warn of his high risk of fleeing due to his self-described ties to Russian intelligence and the presence of firearms at his home.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Washington Post
Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov pleaded not guilty to charges of lying to the FBI about Joe Biden and his son Hunter, and a judge ordered him to remain in jail out of concern he might flee the country. Prosecutors argued that Smirnov's alleged ties to Russian intelligence agents and access to significant funds made him a flight risk, while his attorney emphasized his cooperation with U.S. authorities and family ties in the United States. The case has significant implications for the Republican-led impeachment inquiry into President Biden and the broader GOP effort to paint the president as corrupt.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CBS News
Federal prosecutors are seeking to detain ex-FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, who is accused of lying to investigators about President Biden and his son Hunter's business dealings, after he was briefly released from federal custody. Prosecutors allege that Smirnov claimed to have ties to Russian intelligence and other foreign intelligence services, posing a flight risk. Smirnov's lawyers have opposed his detention, arguing that his personal relationships in the U.S. mitigate the risk of fleeing the country. The case is set to be heard in court on Monday.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Associated Press
Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, charged with fabricating a bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden's family, is set to appear in a California federal court as a judge considers whether he should remain in detention. Prosecutors are urging the judge to keep Smirnov locked up, citing his reported contact with Russian intelligence-affiliated officials. Smirnov's lawyers are challenging his re-arrest and advocating for his release, emphasizing his lack of criminal history and strong ties to the United States. The case revolves around Smirnov's false claims about the Bidens and their alleged ties to a Ukrainian energy company, which became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry of President Biden.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Fox News
Kentucky Rep. James Comer downplayed the significance of indicted FBI informant Alexander Smirnov's claims in the GOP-led Biden family influence peddling probe, stating that Smirnov's allegations were not a crucial part of the case. Comer pledged that GOP lawmakers will thoroughly investigate all allegations of Biden influence peddling, while also questioning the handling of the case by FBI officials. Meanwhile, House investigators interviewed Hunter Biden's ex-business associate, Jason Galanis, who claimed that Joe Biden played a key role in a Chinese energy deal and that the Bidens received millions from foreign entities.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NBC News
The Justice Department's recent allegations against a former FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, for spreading misinformation designed to harm President Joe Biden after meeting with Russian intelligence officials has reignited debate over Russian involvement in unproven allegations of corrupt Ukraine dealings by Joe and Hunter Biden. Former U.S. intelligence officials who previously warned about Russian efforts to smear the Bidens feel vindicated by the recent allegations against Smirnov, despite no public evidence of Russian government involvement in the release of Hunter Biden's laptop materials. The emergence of the laptop and its contents, along with Smirnov's alleged lies, have become part of the ongoing political and legal battles surrounding the Bidens.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by ABC News
A federal judge in California has ordered former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov to appear in court as the judge considers keeping him detained pending trial for allegedly lying about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. Special counsel David Weiss is seeking to have Smirnov held until trial, citing concerns about his potential to flee the country or obstruct justice. Smirnov's attorneys are advocating for his release, disputing the judge's characterization of their efforts as facilitating his absconding from the United States. The case has seen a series of dramatic events, including Smirnov's arrest, allegations of high-level contacts with Russian intelligence officials, and a back-and-forth over his detention status.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNN
A federal judge in California has expressed concern that defense attorneys for indicted ex-FBI informant Alexander Smirnov may be attempting to facilitate his escape from the United States. Smirnov, who was released from custody in Nevada and then re-arrested by the FBI on the same charges, is scheduled for a detention hearing in Los Angeles. His attorneys have appealed his detention, arguing that he has the right to a hearing in Nevada before being transferred to California.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The New York Times
Alexander Smirnov, a former F.B.I. informant, is set to appear in federal court in Las Vegas after being rearrested for the second time in a week. The hearing will determine if prosecutors had the right to rearrest him, with the government claiming it was necessary to safeguard national security and prevent him from fleeing overseas. The case revolves around Smirnov's accusations against President Biden and his son Hunter, and has sparked public interest and confusion.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by New York Post
FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, accused of fabricating a $10 million bribery allegation against President Biden and Hunter Biden, was rearrested under "bizarre circumstances" two days after his release from jail. His lawyers called the re-arrest a violation of his Sixth Amendment rights and demanded an emergency detention hearing in the US District Court for the District of Nevada. The charges against Smirnov are related to alleged false statements documented by the FBI, and prosecutors argue that he holds a bias against the president and is actively peddling new lies that could impact US elections.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Guardian US
Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant charged with lying about a bribery scheme involving Joe Biden's family, was arrested again in Las Vegas after being released by a judge. He is accused of making false statements and creating a fictitious record. Prosecutors appealed the judge's ruling to release him with a GPS monitor. Smirnov, who claims to have links to Russian intelligence, was taken into custody on a warrant issued in California for the same charges. His lawyers have requested an immediate hearing on his detention and will push for his release.