NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedNovember 2, 2026Miami-Dade County
Federal judge dismisses criminal charges against former FBI officials, citing political motivation
Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed
A federal magistrate judge dismissed a criminal complaint against two former FBI officials accused of lying to Congress about Hunter Biden, citing a rushed investigation and political weaponization by the Justice Department just before the midterm elections. U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui ruled that prosecutors failed to establish that Nikki Floris and Benavides intentionally made false statements or possessed a motive to deceive. The dismissal leaves the Justice Department the option to pursue a grand jury indictment.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main FeedWhy It Matters
The ruling halts a politically sensitive prosecution against former federal law enforcement officials, though prosecutors retain the legal option to seek an indictment through a grand jury.
Key Facts
- U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui dismissed a criminal complaint against former FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides.
- The defendants were previously accused of lying to Congress about their knowledge of investigations into Hunter Biden and a laptop dropped off at a Delaware repair shop in 2019.
- Judge Faruqui cited 'weaponization' of the Justice Department, stating the investigation was rushed and conducted at the behest of President Donald Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel just before midterm elections.
- The judge found that prosecutors failed to establish probable cause that statements made during 2023 congressional testimony were intentionally false or lacked motive.
- FBI agent Bryan Witt testified that the inquiry was regarded in his office as a 'witch hunt' and a 'huge distraction' that opened the day after an election security speech by Trump.
- The Justice Department stated it disagreed with the ruling and was evaluating its options, which still include seeking a grand jury indictment.
- Floris and Benavides previously led the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force, which was established during Trump's first term and disbanded last year.
Who's Mentioned
PersonCassidy Hutchinson“Former White House staffer.”OrganizationForeign Influence Task Force“Former FBI task force led by Floris and Benavides.”OrganizationJustice Department“Federal department that brought the prosecution.”PersonKash Patel“FBI Director.”OrganizationNew York Post“Media organization that reported on the laptop in 2020.”PersonHunter Biden“Son of President Joe Biden, linked to the laptop at the center of the congressio”locationMissouri“State where the investigation office was located.”locationWilmington“City in Delaware associated with the computer repair shop.”PersonJoe Biden“Former President of the United States.”PersonBradley Benavides“Former FBI official accused of lying to Congress.”PersonBryan Witt“FBI agent assigned to investigate the case.”OrganizationHouse Judiciary Committee“Congressional committee that conducted the 2023 investigation.”PersonNikki Floris“Former FBI official accused of lying to Congress.”PersonDonald Trump“President of the United States.”locationKansas City“Location of the FBI office assigned to investigate the case.”PersonZia Faruqui“U.S. Magistrate Judge who dismissed the criminal complaint.”OrganizationFederal Bureau of Investigation“Federal law enforcement agency.”locationDelaware“State where a computer repair shop was located.”