Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
Judge rejects new charges against two former FBI officials in Hunter Biden probe
A federal magistrate judge in Washington rejected new charges against two former FBI officials in a case linked to the Hunter Biden laptop probe.
Bradley Benavides and Nicole Floris are accused of falsely telling the House Judiciary Committee they did not know about government investigations involving Hunter Biden.
The judge said the Justice Department filed the new complaint unsigned and without getting judicial review of whether there was enough evidence for the charges.
The judge ordered the new complaint struck from the record, while the original complaint filed last week remains in place.
The case matters because the judge said bypassing judicial review was improper and could harm the defendants.
The Justice Department may still seek new charges through the proper process.
A federal magistrate judge rejected a Justice Department attempt to add an obstruction charge against former FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides.
Judge Zia Faruqui struck the new complaint after prosecutors filed it unsigned and unsworn, without first obtaining judicial approval.
The original complaint remains in place, accusing Floris and Benavides of making false statements to Congress about their knowledge of Hunter Biden investigations.
FBI agent Bryan Witt testified that he worried the investigation could be viewed as political.
The defense has alleged political motivation, while prosecutors say the former officials should be held accountable for misleading Congress.
- Who
- Former FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides; Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui rejected the new complaint.
- What
- The judge struck an unsigned, unsworn complaint seeking to add an obstruction charge. The original allegations remain.
- When
- Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
- Where
- Federal court in Washington, D.C.
- Why
- Faruqui said prosecutors had not obtained judicial approval and called the filing improper.
Floris and Benavides' defense
Justice Department prosecutors
Political motivation
Floris and Benavides' defense
The defense says the case was brought for political reasons and to drive a political narrative.
Justice Department prosecutors
Prosecutors deny improper conduct and say the defendants should be held accountable for misleading Congress.
New complaint
Floris and Benavides' defense
The defense opposed the unsigned, unsworn filing and challenged the basis for the added charge.
Justice Department prosecutors
Prosecutors argued they were not legally required to seek a judge's sign-off and sought to add an obstruction charge.
Floris and Benavides were charged with making false statements to Congress about their knowledge of Hunter Biden investigations.
Prosecutors filed an unsigned and unsworn complaint seeking to add an obstruction charge.
Faruqui rejected the new complaint, and the hearing proceeded on the original allegations.
FBI agent Bryan Witt testified that he had concerns the investigation would be viewed as political.
- Defendants
- Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides
- Judge
- Zia Faruqui
- New charge
- Obstruction of a congressional proceeding
- Original allegations
- False statements to Congress about knowledge of Hunter Biden investigations
- FBI agent
- Bryan Witt
5 sources
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What people are saying
I had concerns this would be viewed as political
We have never had complaints filed that are unsigned
this has never been done before
political football