US News
Judge dismisses criminal charges against former FBI officials in congressional testimony case
A federal judge found prosecutors failed to establish probable cause that two former officials lied about the Hunter Biden investigation.
The short version
- U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui dismissed a criminal complaint accusing former FBI officials Nikki Cole Floris and Bradley Benavides of lying to Congress.[Fox News]
- The judge determined that the government failed to show probable cause that the officials made false statements regarding their knowledge of the Hunter Biden probe.[NBC News]
- Faruqui rebuked the Justice Department, characterizing the prosecution as weaponization and a rush job directed by President Donald Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel.[Fox News]
Key facts
- U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui dismissed the criminal complaint against former FBI officials Nikki Cole Floris and Bradley Benavides.[Fox News · NBC News]
- The government alleged that the defendants gave false statements during 2023 congressional interviews concerning their knowledge and actions.[Fox News]
- The court ruled that prosecutors failed to demonstrate probable cause that the defendants lied to lawmakers.[NBC News]
- Judge Faruqui criticized the case as weaponization and a rush job directed by President Donald Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel.[Fox News]
- An FBI agent testified in a preliminary hearing that he harbored concerns the Patel-directed investigation would be seen as political.[NBC News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.