Ex-FBI informant charged with lying about Bidens to remain jailed while he awaits trial, judge rules

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Mon Feb 26, 2024, 02:41 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: AP

Updated 1:36 PM EST, February 26, 2024


LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former FBI informant charged with fabricating a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden’s family must remain behind bars while he awaits trial, a judge ruled Monday, reversing an earlier order releasing the man.

U.S. District Judge Otis Wright II in Los Angeles ordered Alexander Smirnov’s detention after prosecutors raised concerns that the man who claims to have ties to Russian intelligence could flee the country. Wright said he did not believe there are release conditions he could set that would guarantee Smirnov would not escape.

“There is nothing garden variety about this case,” Wright said before announcing his decision. “I have not changed my mind. This man will be remanded pending trial.”

Smirnov pleaded not guilty to the charges accusing him of falsely telling his FBI handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma had paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each around 2015. The claim became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry of President Biden in Congress.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-alexander-smirnov-detention-fbi-informant-0069256e9606617f890d0cf6771983ab

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Article updated.

Original article -

Updated 12:53 PM EST, February 26, 2024


LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former FBI informant charged with fabricating a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden’s family must remain behind bars while he awaits trial, a judge ruled Monday, reversing an earlier order releasing the man.

U.S. District Judge Otis Wright II in Los Angeles ordered Alexander Smirnov’s detention after prosecutors raised concerns that the man who claims to have ties to Russian intelligence could flee the country.

A different judge had released Smirnov from jail on electronic GPS monitoring after his Feb. 14 arrest, but Wright ordered him to be takenback into custody last week after prosecutors asked to reconsider Smirnov’s detention. Wright said in a written order unsealed Friday that Smirnov’s lawyers’ efforts to free him were “likely to facilitate his absconding from the United States.”

Smirnov is charged with falsely telling his FBI handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma had paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each around 2015. The claim became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry of President Biden in Congress.

[getagrip_already]

1. So anything happening to his lawyers in NV?

The district judge all but said they were aiding and abetting his flight from justice, which sounds like criming to me.

Now I'm not a lawyer, but it seems like that kind of think could get a person in trouble, especially an occifer of the court.

[gab13by13]

2. The lawyers denied they were helping him flee.

[getagrip_already]

4. Oh, in that case, i guess its a-ok.

Cause we know nobody would ever lie about breaking the law.

[werdna]

3. Gee, I hope he spends his time there constructively -

- and learns to sing like a canary! "I looked over to Jordan and what did I see? Another traitor Comer over to me!"

[BumRushDaShow]

5. That whole thing you wrote was a DUzy!

[The Polack MSgt]

11. Very nice

[deurbano]

6. How was he let out in the first place, after copping to having Russian ties?!

Was the judge who let him out a Trumper?

[BumRushDaShow]

7. A separate magistrate judge did that release while he was in NV with his lawyers when arrested

(snip)

Arguing that Smirnov presented a clear risk of fleeing the country or obstructing justice if released on bail, prosecutors repeatedly pointed to Smirnov's extensive claims of contacts with "multiple foreign intelligence agencies" abroad and his plans to leave the U.S. on a multi-country foreign trip just two days after he landed in Las Vegas last week and was taken into custody at the airport.

Despite the surprising extent of disclosures by Weiss in his filing seeking Smirnov's detention, however, a Nevada magistrate judge ordered Smirnov' released from custody on the condition that he surrender his passport, wear an ankle monitor and be restricted from travel outside of Nevada and California.

The government sought a stay of the judge's decision, which was rejected, after which Weiss' prosecutors sought reconsideration by the original judge overseeing his case in Los Angeles, where Smirnov was indicted by a grand jury.

(snip)

https://abcnews.go.com/US/judge-detention-alexander-smirnov-fbi-informant-charged-lying/story?id=107496734

[deurbano]

13. Now I can see the magistrate judge used to be a public defender, so probably not a Trumper?

It just seemed so outrageous when I heard Smirnov had been released, given not only the allegations against him, but his own admissions. At least it was reversed before he skipped!

[BumRushDaShow]

15. I expect in many areas of the country

the whole concept of a "double-agent" / "spy" is considered "not serious or real" and something one finds "only in the movies or in a novel".

[twodogsbarking]

8. Who will he rat out? Stay tuned.

[orangecrush]

9. Shit gonna hit the fan

For Gym and friends.

[prodigitalson]

10. he almost got away! hat's off to the judge

that dude was about to be in the wind

[mobeau69]

12. Yep. Good thing they were tailing the bastard.

[Prairie Gates]

18. Extracted to Russia by his handlers like Mr. Snowden

Clock was ticking.

[rubbersole]

14. Sure hope he doesn't hang himself with his sheets.

Prison depression after all.

[twodogsbarking]

16. With the guards out to lunch and the cameras disconected.