2 ex-FBI officials charged with lying to Congress about Hunter Biden laptop probe
Updated on: October 23, 2026 / 5:33 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Two former FBI officials, Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, are charged with lying to Congress.
- The charges relate to their testimony in 2023 about the FBI's investigation into Hunter Biden's laptop.
- Floris and Benavides allegedly concealed their involvement with the Foreign Influence Task Force and the Hunter Biden probes.
- Their defense attorneys and the presiding judge have questioned the timing and basis of the charges.
- The Foreign Influence Task Force conducted an operation called 'Round River' which scrutinized informant reporting on Hunter Biden.
- Floris allegedly denied any involvement in the Hunter Biden investigation when questioned by the House Judiciary Committee.
- Benavides allegedly claimed he learned about the laptop investigation from Wikipedia when preparing for his testimony.
- A congressional staffer described their testimony as 'materially untrue'.
- Floris' attorneys claim she is falsely accused and criticize the timing of the charges as politically motivated.