DOJ Files New Charges Against Ex-FBI Officials In Hunter Biden Inquiry
Early on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Justice Department filed an unsigned, unsworn superseding criminal complaint against former FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides in federal court in Washington, D.C., adding an obstruction-of-Congress charge.[1]
The new complaint accuses them of knowingly making materially false statements about their awareness of and involvement in FBI Hunter Biden investigations during testimony on July 19, 2023, and September 28, 2023.[1] Prosecutors focused on the pair's roles in the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force and the "Round River" operation.[1] Those efforts flagged derogatory informant reporting on Hunter Biden as possible Russian disinformation ahead of the 2020 election.[1] Floris' attorneys called the overnight unsigned complaint unprecedented and said it improperly bypassed a grand jury and judicial authorization, delaying their client's ability to challenge the charges.[1] The filing came hours before a scheduled October 27 preliminary hearing where defense lawyers planned to cross-examine a government witness about probable cause.[1]
Floris and Benavides previously testified before Congress on July 19, 2023, and September 28, 2023 about their roles in the FBI's handling of intelligence related to Hunter Biden.[1] Prosecutors say those statements were false and that the superseding complaint lays out where the officials knew more than they told lawmakers.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Early on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, DOJ filed an unsigned and unsworn superseding criminal complaint against former FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides in federal court in Washington, D.C.
- The new complaint adds an obstruction-of-Congress charge and alleges the pair knowingly made materially false statements about their awareness of and involvement in FBI Hunter Biden investigations during testimony on July 19, 2023 and September 28, 2023.
- Prosecutors focus on the officials' roles in the FBI Foreign Influence Task Force and its 'Round River' operation, which flagged derogatory informant reporting on Hunter Biden as possible Russian disinformation ahead of the 2020 election.
- Floris' attorneys issued a statement calling the overnight, unsigned complaint unprecedented, asserting DOJ is improperly bypassing a grand jury or judicial authorization and attempting to delay their client's right to challenge the charges.
- The superseding complaint was filed just hours before a scheduled October 27 preliminary hearing where defense lawyers plan to cross-examine a government witness on probable cause.
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