NewsWPLG Local 10October 23, 2026Miami-Dade County
Two Former FBI Officials Charged with Lying to Congress Over Hunter Biden Laptop Investigation
Photo: WPLG Local 10
Two former FBI leaders were charged via criminal complaint with lying to lawmakers regarding their involvement in the bureau's investigation of Hunter Biden's laptop ahead of the 2020 election. Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides appeared in federal court as defense attorneys contested the charges as politically motivated timing ahead of elections. The prosecution revisits the 2020 controversy surrounding the laptop and comes amid broader scrutiny of past FBI investigations under Director Kash Patel.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10Why It Matters
The Justice Department's rare criminal filing against former high-ranking employees revives a prominent political controversy involving federal law enforcement conduct and congressional oversight on the eve of an election.
Key Facts
- Two former FBI officials, Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, were charged via criminal complaint with lying to Congress about their involvement in the Hunter Biden laptop investigation.
- The charges allege that Floris and Benavides downplayed their firsthand knowledge of the laptop and involvement in investigations during 2023 testimony to lawmakers.
- The case was filed via criminal complaint rather than a grand jury indictment less than two weeks before the Nov. 3 elections.
- U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui set a preliminary hearing for next Tuesday over prosecutors' objections for more time.
- The Foreign Influence Task Force (FITF), which the defendants previously led, was established to counter foreign election interference and was disbanded in February 2025 by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi.
- The Hunter Biden laptop emerged in October 2020 after being dropped off at a Delaware repair shop and publicized by the New York Post.
- Hunter Biden was later convicted of gun and tax offenses and was pardoned by his father in his final weeks in office.
- FBI Director Kash Patel has presided over widespread firings of agents involved in investigations of Trump and has scrutinized past bureau episodes.
- Other recent Justice Department actions include a search of Democratic 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 FBI task force formerly led by the defendants”OrganizationJustice Department“Federal department bringing the charges”otherVirginia“State represented by Sen. L. Louise Lucas”PersonKash Patel“FBI Director”OrganizationNew York Post“Publication that publicized the laptop”otherMinnesota“Home state of Rep. Ilhan Omar”PersonRudy Giuliani“Trump ally who provided the laptop hard drive to the New York Post”PersonHunter Biden“Subject of the historical FBI investigation and laptop controversy”PersonJohn Ratcliffe“Former Director of National Intelligence”PersonJoe Biden“Former US President”PersonBradley Benavides“Former FBI official charged with lying to Congress”PersonIlhan Omar“Democratic Representative whose home was searched”PersonL. Louise Lucas“Democratic Virginia state Senator facing a corruption indictment”otherWilmington“City in Delaware where the computer repair shop was located”otherDelaware“State where the repair shop operated”PersonChris Wray“Former FBI Director”PersonNikki Floris“Former FBI official charged with lying to Congress”PersonDonald Trump“Former US President”PersonZia Faruqui“U.S. Magistrate Judge presiding over the court appearance”otherWashington“City where federal court is located”OrganizationFederal Bureau of Investigation“Law enforcement agency employing the defendants”