Two former high-ranking Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials, Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, have been charged with allegedly lying to Congress about their involvement in investigations connected to Hunter Biden, the son of former U.S. President Joe Biden.
The charges were announced on Friday, October 23, 2026, by U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, marking another dramatic development in the long-running controversy surrounding the FBI’s handling of Hunter Biden-related investigations.
Floris, 46, and Benavides, 56, each face one count of making false statements to Congress. Their arrests were reported as the Justice Department moved forward with criminal proceedings.
Two former senior FBI officials, Nikki Cole Floris and Bradley Benavides, were taken into custody today on charges of allegedly lying to Congress about their involvement in the FBI’s investigations into Hunter Biden.
The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into the since-dissolved FBI Foreign Influence Task Force.
Floris led the FITF as a Deputy Assistant Director from mid-2019 through mid-2022. Benavides was the FITF Section Chief from mid-2019 through the 2020 election. Both testified that the FITF was not involved in the Hunter Biden investigations. Documentary evidence, contemporaneous communications, and witness accounts contradict their testimony.
Floris is also on record privately claiming to be “running a shadow government” during the 2020 election in her role on the FITF.
Lying to Congress by senior FBI officials strikes at the heart of our system. No one is above the law.
The FBI has already dismantled the corrupt CR-15 squad that engaged in political weaponization targeting their opponents, including President Trump.
Thanks to @TheJusticeDept @FBIKansasCity and @USAttyPirro.
-DKP🇺🇸
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) October 23, 2026
What Are the Former FBI Officials Accused Of?
According to federal prosecutors, the allegations concern statements the former officials made about their responsibilities within the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force during the 2020 presidential election.
Investigators are examining whether the two officials misrepresented their involvement in matters related to Hunter Biden’s laptop and the bureau’s handling of politically sensitive information.
Pirro alleged that one of the officials claimed to have learned about the Hunter Biden investigation through Wikipedia, despite evidence prosecutors believe demonstrates prior involvement.
The Justice Department contends that the alleged inconsistencies warrant criminal prosecution.
Hunter Biden Laptop Controversy Resurfaces
The case revives questions surrounding the FBI’s handling of information about Hunter Biden before the closely contested 2020 presidential election.
Republican Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson previously questioned the two officials over an August 2020 intelligence briefing concerning potential foreign interference.
The senators argued that the briefing affected their congressional investigation into Hunter Biden’s financial dealings.
The FBI’s handling of the laptop controversy has remained the subject of congressional scrutiny for several years.
Former FBI Official Denies Allegations
Attorneys representing Nikki Floris have strongly rejected the prosecution, describing the accusations as politically motivated and lacking factual justification.
Her lawyers emphasized her nearly two decades of service to the FBI and questioned why the charges were brought shortly before the November 3 midterm elections.
The latest development is expected to intensify debate over political influence, accountability and transparency within America’s federal law enforcement agencies.
Importantly, both former FBI officials are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
As legal proceedings unfold, attention will turn to the evidence prosecutors present and whether the allegations can withstand judicial scrutiny.
