A former FBI informant accused of fabricating claims about U.S. President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, pleaded guilty on Monday to causing the creation of a false record. Alexander Smirnov entered the plea in a Los Angeles federal court, according to a spokesperson for Special Counsel David Weiss, who prosecuted the case. Smirnov also admitted to charges of tax evasion, court documents revealed.
Initially set to stand trial next month, Smirnov reached a plea agreement with prosecutors last week, recommending a prison sentence of four to six years. As part of the agreement, Smirnov confessed to fabricating allegations that Joe and Hunter Biden each received $5 million in bribes from executives at Burisma Holdings, the Ukrainian energy company that hired Hunter Biden as a board member.
These false claims were documented by the FBI during its investigation into Hunter Biden, forming the basis of the false record charge against Smirnov. The allegations also fueled an unsuccessful Republican-led effort in the House of Representatives to impeach President Biden over his son’s business dealings.
Special Counsel Weiss, who has also investigated Hunter Biden, recently secured convictions against the president’s son on gun and tax charges. President Joe Biden pardoned Hunter Biden last month.
Smirnov’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment. He is scheduled for sentencing on January 8.
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