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The informant convicted of making false claims to the FBI about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter accepting bribes from a Ukrainian energy company has been sentenced to six years in prison for lying to federal investigators and evading taxes.
Some shit you should know: Roughly two years ago, Alexander Smirnov, a dual US-Israeli citizen and former FBI informant, claimed that Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company, paid $5 million each to Joe Biden and his son Hunter in exchange for political favors. Smirnov alleged that Burisma’s management hired Hunter Biden, who served on the company’s board from 2014 to 2019, to shield the company from legal troubles in the US. These accusations became central to Republican-led investigations and an impeachment inquiry targeting President Biden. However, evidence provided by the FBI later revealed that Smirnov had fabricated the claims, and he was charged with making false statements to the FBI and evading taxes by concealing millions in income. Smirnov admitted in court to providing “false derogatory information” about the Bidens, conceding that parts of his story were influenced by individuals linked to Russian intelligence. While he confessed to spreading falsehoods, he maintained that his accusations were based on secondhand conversations and insisted he had no direct involvement with Burisma. Ultimately, Smirnov was found guilty of lying to federal investigators and evading taxes.
What’s going on now: During an appearance in court today, Alexander Smirnov was sentenced to six years in prison for making false statements to the FBI and evading taxes. The court credited Smirnov with time already served since his arrest in February 2024, reducing his remaining prison term. In addition to the prison sentence, Smirnov was ordered to pay approximately $675,000 in restitution to the IRS to address the taxes he concealed from authorities. The judge also recommended Smirnov for the Bureau of Prisons Residential Drug Abuse Program, acknowledging his ongoing struggles with substance abuse as part of the sentencing considerations.
This all comes as questions continue to linger about Hunter Biden’s role at Burisma and the broader pattern of foreign payments made to both him and President Biden’s brother, James Biden, for consulting work with companies based in China and other nations. Critics point to Hunter’s lack of expertise in the energy sector as a potential indication that his position on Burisma’s board was linked to his father’s political influence.
Financial records and ongoing inquiries have highlighted payments to Hunter and James Biden from foreign entities, raising concerns about whether their business dealings exploited family connections for financial gain. While no direct evidence has implicated President Biden in these matters, the transactions have fueled partisan debates over ethics and influence in international business dealings.
