# FBI officials charged regarding Hunter Biden probe

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fbi-officials-charged-regarding-hunter-biden-probe
> Updated: 2026-10-26T05:36:13.000Z. Sources: 66. Developments: 2.

Former senior FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, both former leaders of the now-dissolved Foreign Influence Task Force, have been charged with making false statements to Congress and obstructing investigations into the financial dealings of Hunter Biden.

Prosecutors allege that during 2023 testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, the pair provided materially false information regarding their awareness of and involvement in investigations related to a laptop belonging to the son of former President Joe Biden. The Department of Justice claims to possess documentary evidence and witness accounts that contradict their testimony. Specifically, investigators allege Benavides claimed to have learned of the investigation via Wikipedia despite regular discussions with colleagues.

During a federal court hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S. Magistrate Zia Faruqui criticized the Department of Justice for its handling of the case. The judge struck an amended criminal complaint from the record that attempted to add an obstruction charge, noting that the DOJ had filed an unsigned document without a prior probable cause determination. Judge Faruqui questioned why the government deviated from standard charging practices by attempting to add an obstruction of a congressional proceeding charge via a superseding complaint filed overnight.

Defense attorneys have rejected the charges, describing them as “politically motivated and baseless.” They have also noted that the charges were filed via a criminal complaint signed by a magistrate judge rather than a grand jury indictment, and questioned the timing of the legal action.

## Claims

- Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides are charged with making false statements to Congress. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- The officials were members of the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Defense lawyers described the case as baseless and politically motivated. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The officials were charged via a criminal complaint rather than a grand jury indictment. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Nikki Floris allegedly lied to Congress on July 19, 2023. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Bradley Benavides allegedly lied to Congress on September 28, 2023. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- U.S. Magistrate Zia Faruqui struck an amended criminal complaint from the record. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-26: Former FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides face court over Hunter Biden probe allegations

Former FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides face charges for allegedly lying to Congress about the Hunter Biden laptop probe. A judge recently struck an improper obstruction charge filed by the DOJ.

18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/two-former-fbi-officials-charged-with-lying-to-congress-1

### 2026-10-23: Former FBI officials charged with lying to Congress over Hunter Biden probe

Former FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides face charges for allegedly lying to Congress about their roles in investigating Hunter Biden’s laptop during the 2020 election cycle.

51 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/two-former-fbi-officials-charged-with-lying-to-congress

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Cite as: FBI officials charged regarding Hunter Biden probe. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fbi-officials-charged-regarding-hunter-biden-probe