On Monday, the charges against two former FBI officials involved in the Hunter Biden laptop scandal were dismissed.
Former FBI Foreign Influence Task Force (FITF) Deputy Assistant Director Nikki Floris and former FITF Section Chief Bradley Benavides appear to be off the hook, at least for now, after U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui determined that the federal government did not have probable cause to show the pair had lied about the laptop before Congress. The case had also been brought as a criminal complaint, rather than being presented to a grand jury to determine whether there was enough to indict one or both of the former officials. This could be due to the failed attempted indictment of Cassidy Hutchinson, as jurors balked at the possibility that charges brought against purported enemies of President Donald Trump could just be political targeting.
“The complaint alleged that the duo lied about their roles on the Foreign Influence Task Force and ;about their roles in the FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations; while testifying before the House Judiciary Committee in 2023,” NBC News reported Monday. “The dismissal came after an FBI agent testified at a preliminary hearing last week that he was concerned the investigation, which had been directed by FBI Director Kash Patel, would be viewed as ‘political.’ He also acknowledged a prosecutor on the case had acknowledged the criminal complaint was flawed in a telephone call last week.”
As BizPac Review had previously reported, Floris and Benavides voluntarily surrendered on warrants after being accused of misrepresenting their knowledge of the infamous Hunter Biden laptop to Congress.
Look:
This morning, two former senior FBI officials, Nikki Floris, 46, and Bradley Benavides, 56, surrendered on arrest warrants after being charged with lying to Congress about their roles on the Foreign Influence Task Force during the 2020 election. Floris and Benavides allegedly lied to Congress about their roles in the FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations, with one claiming they only learned about it from Wikipedia – despite evidence showing their involvement in helping shape the public narrative about Hunter Biden’s laptop right before the election.
Lying to Congress by anyone strikes at the heart of our democratic system, but when senior FBI agents lie to Congress believing they are above the law, it’s time to bring the hammer of justice down on them. When senior officials entrusted with safeguarding our nation’s security choose deception over duty, they undermine the very institutions they swore to uphold.
Today’s action makes clear that no one is above the law, and we will hold accountable all who obstruct the truth.
— US Attorney Pirro (@USAttyPirro) October 23, 2026
“This morning, two former senior FBI officials, Nikki Floris, 46, and Bradley Benavides, 56, surrendered on arrest warrants after being charged with lying to Congress about their roles on the Foreign Influence Task Force during the 2020 election. Floris and Benavides allegedly lied to Congress about their roles in the FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations, with one claiming they only learned about it from Wikipedia – despite evidence showing their involvement in helping shape the public narrative about Hunter Biden’s laptop right before the election,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro wrote on X last month. “Lying to Congress by anyone strikes at the heart of our democratic system, but when senior FBI agents lie to Congress believing they are above the law, it’s time to bring the hammer of justice down on them. When senior officials entrusted with safeguarding our nation’s security choose deception over duty, they undermine the very institutions they swore to uphold.”
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.