Politics

Former FBI officials charged with allegedly lying to Congress about Hunter Biden probe

Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides surrendered Friday; Floris's attorneys call the accusations false.

Updated Oct 23, 2026 · 16:24 UTC3 reports

The short version

Two former senior FBI officials, Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, were charged with allegedly lying to Congress about Hunter Biden investigations.[Associated Press · NBC News · CNBC]
The Justice Department says they surrendered Friday, and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro alleges they lied about their roles in the Foreign Influence Task Force.[Associated Press · NBC News · CNBC]
Floris's attorneys deny the accusations and say the charges rest on politicians' claims rather than facts.[NBC News · CNBC]
FBI Director Kash Patel says the charges stem from an ongoing probe of the dissolved task force, and the defendants are seeking a speedy hearing to contest them.[Associated Press · NBC News · CNBC]

Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides were charged with allegedly lying to Congress about their roles in Hunter Biden investigations.[Associated Press · NBC News · CNBC]
Floris and Benavides surrendered Friday morning, according to U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro.[NBC News · CNBC]
Pirro alleged that the two lied about their roles in the Foreign Influence Task Force.[NBC News]
Floris's attorneys called the accusations false and said the charges were filed on the eve of an election.[NBC News · CNBC]
FBI Director Kash Patel said the charges stem from an ongoing investigation into the dissolved Foreign Influence Task Force.[CNBC]
The defendants made their first federal court appearance in Washington, where their lawyers pressed for a speedy hearing to contest the allegations.[Associated Press]

Whether the allegations hold is unresolved; the defendants dispute them and are seeking a speedy hearing.[Associated Press · CNBC]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.