Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant with alleged links to Russian intelligence, was arrested again in Las Vegas on charges of lying about a bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden’s family. Smirnov was taken into custody during a meeting at his lawyers’ offices, following a request by prosecutors to reconsider his release while awaiting trial. He was arrested on charges of making false statements and creating a false record, but details about his return to custody were not immediately available.
Smirnov was first arrested in Las Vegas last week upon his return from overseas. Prosecutors claim that Smirnov falsely informed his FBI handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma had paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each in 2015, which became a central issue in the Republican impeachment inquiry of President Biden. Smirnov has not entered a plea to the charges, and his lawyers maintain his innocence, stating that they look forward to defending him at trial.
In a bid to keep Smirnov in custody, prosecutors revealed that he had reported recent and extensive contact with officials associated with Russian intelligence, claiming they were involved in spreading a story about Hunter Biden. Despite concerns about Smirnov’s access to significant funds, a magistrate judge had released him on GPS monitoring, with strict conditions including surrendering his passports and staying in the area. Prosecutors quickly appealed this decision, arguing that Smirnov’s history of lying to his FBI handler raised doubts about his credibility and trustworthiness.
Smirnov, who had been an informant for over a decade, made the allegations about the Bidens in June 2020 following his expressed bias against Joe Biden as a presidential candidate. However, court documents reveal that his interactions with Burisma were routine business dealings starting in 2017, with no evidence of corruption on Joe Biden’s part. Despite his claims playing a significant role in Republican investigations into the Bidens, Democrats called for an end to the probe after Smirnov’s indictment, while Republicans distanced themselves from his allegations.
Smirnov’s lawyers assert that he has been living in Las Vegas for two years with his girlfriend, requiring ongoing medical treatment for significant eye-related issues. Prior to his move to Nevada, he had resided in California for 16 years. The case surrounding Smirnov’s arrest and the allegations against the Bidens continue to unfold, with legal proceedings expected to shed further light on the matter.
