Ryan Lucas
Appearances
NPR News Now
NPR News: 12-16-2024 7PM EST
At a hearing in federal court in Los Angeles, former FBI informant Alexander Smirnoff pleaded guilty to lying about bribes for the Bidens and to charges of tax evasion. According to a statement of facts that accompanied his plea deal, Smirnoff lied to his FBI handler, making up a story about a Ukrainian gas company paying millions of dollars in bribes to President Biden and his son Hunter.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 12-16-2024 7PM EST
That false claim later played a central role in the ultimately unsuccessful effort by House Republicans to impeach President Biden. Under Smirnoff's plea deal, prosecutors and his defense team have agreed to recommend a sentence of between four and six years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for early January. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.