Ex-FBI Informant Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Tax Evasion

Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant, pleaded guilty to fabricating a story about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter accepting $5 million bribes from Ukrainian energy firm Burisma. He also pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges for failing to pay taxes on $2.1 million in income. Smirnov's false claims, which were initially used by Congressional Republicans to support an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, have been proven baseless, with no evidence of corruption emerging. The plea agreement suggests a prison sentence of four to six years, with sentencing set for January 8, 2025. Smirnov's case highlights the political ramifications of false allegations, as it was a significant factor in GOP efforts to impeach the president. Concurrently, the Ohio voter fraud investigations reveal that noncitizen voting is rare and not part of any coordinated effort, contrasting with the rhetoric suggesting widespread fraud.