Release The Kraken? – U.S. Gov Switcheroo!

Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, convicted of fabricating a Biden bribery scheme, may soon be released from prison as the U.S. government takes an unexpected position in his legal battle.

At a Glance

• Alexander Smirnov pleaded guilty to fabricating claims that Joe and Hunter Biden each received $5 million in bribes from Ukrainian energy company Burisma
• Prosecutors sentenced Smirnov to six years for tax evasion and lying to the FBI about the fabricated scheme aimed at influencing the 2020 election
• The U.S. government is now seeking Smirnov’s release from prison while he appeals, citing a case review and his need for medical treatment
• House Republicans had used Smirnov’s false allegations as part of their impeachment inquiry into President Biden

The Fabricated Bribery Scheme

Alexander Smirnov, who began working as an FBI informant in 2010, created significant political turbulence when he falsely claimed that Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company, paid both Joe Biden and his son Hunter $5 million each during Biden’s vice presidency. This fabrication became central to Republican-led investigations of the Biden family. The Justice Department later discovered Smirnov only had routine business dealings with Burisma starting in 2017, well after Biden left office, completely contradicting his timeline of alleged bribes.

Investigators determined Smirnov had manufactured the claims, which were later used as ammunition in a House impeachment inquiry against President Biden. The allegations represented a coordinated attempt to influence the 2020 presidential election by damaging Biden’s reputation. Smirnov’s claims received significant attention despite lacking supporting evidence, demonstrating how unverified information can rapidly infiltrate political discourse.

Legal Consequences and Conviction

Following an investigation led by special counsel David Weiss, Smirnov was arrested in February 2024 at the Las Vegas airport. He eventually pleaded guilty to causing the creation of a false record in a federal investigation and to tax evasion for unreported income from 2020-2022. In a joint recommendation, prosecutors and Smirnov’s attorneys suggested a sentence of four to six years in prison, one year of supervised release, and $675,000 in restitution. The court ultimately sentenced him to six years imprisonment.

The indictment specifically noted Smirnov’s bias against Biden, indicating his claims were politically motivated rather than factually grounded. This case demonstrates the severe consequences that can result from providing false information to federal authorities, especially when such fabrications are intended to influence national politics and elections. Smirnov was credited for time served during his pretrial detention following his February arrest.

Surprising Call for Release

In an unexpected development, the U.S. government has now filed a motion seeking Smirnov’s release from prison while he appeals his conviction. This case, initially prosecuted by former Justice Department special counsel David Weiss, has been reassigned to a new federal prosecutor who submitted the release motion. The government’s filing cites a needed review of “the theory of the case” and importantly, Smirnov’s medical needs related to eye health issues that require treatment outside the prison system.

This unusual reversal raises questions about the government’s handling of the case and possible new considerations that have emerged since Smirnov’s conviction. The motion doesn’t specify exactly what prompted the reevaluation, but it suggests that authorities are reconsidering some aspects of the prosecution. Smirnov has remained in custody since his February arrest, serving approximately nine months of his six-year sentence thus far.

Political Aftermath

The Smirnov case continues to reverberate through the political landscape. His false claims about the Bidens received significant attention and fueled partisan investigations despite lacking credibility. The case highlights how disinformation from a trusted source—in this instance, an FBI informant—can rapidly spread through political channels and shape public discourse, even after being debunked. The Biden administration dismissed the House impeachment inquiry as a political “stunt” that relied on Smirnov’s fabricated claims.

This situation parallels other recent political developments, including President Biden’s controversial pardon of his son Hunter before his sentencing dates on federal gun charges and tax violations. Hunter Biden was convicted on these charges but will not face sentencing due to the presidential pardon. These interconnected events underscore the complex relationship between justice, politics, and family loyalties that continues to shape American political discourse.