Ex-FBI informant who made up bribery story about the Bidens will stay in prison, judge rules
Source: Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A federal judge has denied the U.S. government’s request to release from prison a former FBI informant who made up a story about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter accepting bribes that later became central to Republicans’ impeachment effort.
The decision, issued Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Otis Wright in Los Angeles, comes weeks after a new prosecutor reassigned to Alexander Smirnov’s case jointly filed a motion with his attorneys asking for his release while he appeals his conviction. In the motion, the U.S. government had said it would review its “theory of the case.”
Wright said in his written order that Smirnov is still flight risk, even if prosecutors say they will review his case.
“The fact remains that Smirnov has been convicted and sentenced to seventy-two months in prison, providing ample incentive to flee,” he said.
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By RIO YAMAT
Updated 7:46 PM EDT, April 30, 2025
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/fbi-informant-biden-bribery-scheme-90117c0d69382858e6e6262156c39bd8
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