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NewsWPLG Local 10 – PoliticsOctober 23, 2026Miami-Dade County

Two former FBI officials charged with lying to Congress about Hunter Biden laptop investigation

Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Politics

Two former FBI leaders surrendered to authorities and appeared in federal court after being charged via criminal complaint with lying to Congress about their involvement in investigating Hunter Biden's laptop. The prosecution alleges that Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides downplayed their firsthand knowledge of the laptop during 2023 congressional testimony. Defense attorneys criticized the timing and use of a criminal complaint so close to an election, while prosecutors and the judge navigated scheduling for a preliminary hearing.

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Why It Matters

The Justice Department's rare criminal prosecution of former high-ranking law enforcement officials over historical congressional testimony injects political controversy into the federal legal system.

Key Facts

  • Two former FBI officials, Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, were charged on Friday with lying to Congress about their involvement in investigating Hunter Biden's laptop.
  • The case was filed via criminal complaint 10 days before upcoming elections, avoiding a grand jury indictment for now.
  • Prosecutors and a magistrate judge noted the unusual nature of using a criminal complaint for charges stemming from 2023 congressional testimony.
  • U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui set a preliminary hearing for next Tuesday over prosecutor objections.
  • Floris and Benavides formerly led the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force, which was established during the first Trump administration and disbanded in February 2025.
  • The complaint alleges Benavides falsely told lawmakers he learned through Wikipedia that the FBI possessed the laptop.
  • The Justice Department has recently undertaken other high-profile, politically sensitive actions, including a search of Rep. Ilhan Omar's home and a corruption indictment against Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas.

Who's Mentioned

PersonPam Bondi“Former attorney general who disbanded the Foreign Influence Task Force.”OrganizationForeign Influence Task Force“Disbanded task force previously led by Floris and Benavides.”OrganizationJustice Department“Brought criminal charges against the former FBI officials.”PersonKash Patel“FBI Director who commented on the charges and scrutinized past bureau episodes.”OrganizationNew York Post“Publicized the contents of Hunter Biden's laptop.”OrganizationFBI“Federal law enforcement agency employing the defendants.”locationWASHINGTON“Location of the court appearance and federal proceedings.”PersonRudy Giuliani“Trump ally who obtained and publicized the laptop hard drive.”PersonHunter Biden“Subject of the historical laptop investigation and subsequent legal cases.”PersonJohn Ratcliffe“Former director of national intelligence who wrote to Congress regarding the lap”locationWilmington“City where the computer repair shop was located.”PersonJoe Biden“Former president and father of Hunter Biden.”PersonBradley Benavides“Former top leader of the Foreign Influence Task Force facing criminal charges.”PersonIlhan Omar“Democratic Representative whose Washington home was searched in an immigration f”PersonL. Louise Lucas“Virginia state Senator facing a corruption indictment.”locationMinnesota“Home state of Rep. Ilhan Omar.”PersonChris Wray“Former FBI Director.”PersonNikki Floris“Former top leader of the Foreign Influence Task Force facing criminal charges.”locationVirginia“State represented by Senator L. Louise Lucas.”PersonDonald Trump“Former president whose conservative base animated scrutiny of past FBI episodes.”PersonZia Faruqui“U.S. Magistrate Judge presiding over the defendants' first court appearance.”locationDelaware“State where the computer repair shop was located.”