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Nikki Floris, a former senior FBI official, has been charged with allegedly lying to Congress about her work involving the bureau’s investigation into Hunter Biden. The case has quickly drawn attention because Floris was also involved in election security and had been a frequent target of criticism from allies of President Donald Trump.

Floris and former FBI colleague Bradley Benavides surrendered Friday, Oct. 23, according to Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Each faces one count of making false statements, a rarely charged offense that prosecutors can face challenges proving in court.

Nikki Floris Faces Explosive Federal Allegations

The case was filed through a criminal complaint rather than a federal grand jury indictment. Court records show that prosecutors accuse Floris and Benavides of lying about their roles in the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force and their involvement in investigations connected to Hunter Biden.

Pirro said in a social media post that the two former officials misrepresented their work. The allegations have not been proven, and neither defendant has been convicted. The case will now move through the federal court process, where prosecutors will need to establish the claims beyond a reasonable doubt.

Hunter Biden was investigated, charged and ultimately convicted of federal gun and tax crimes. His father, former President Joe Biden, pardoned him shortly before leaving office.

Former FBI Officials Reject the Charges

Floris’ attorneys described her as a patriot who served as an FBI intelligence officer for nearly two decades. In a statement, they said the Justice Department had brought a politically motivated case to support what they called a false narrative.

Her legal team also argued that the timing was significant, pointing to the approaching election. Attorneys Margaret Donovan, Chris Mattei, Mary Dohrmann and Kyle R. Freeny said the charges were based on the word of politicians rather than facts.

Benavides’ attorney, Ronald S. Safer, similarly called the case a disgrace. He said his client had spent 20 years protecting the public from terrorists and foreign agents. Safer described Benavides as a devoted public servant and said the truth would emerge in court.

Trump Attacks Former FBI Officials

Trump addressed the case Friday evening while speaking with reporters in Florida. He said he had heard that the pair had been arrested or charged and referred to them as “dirty cops,” comparing them with former FBI Director James Comey, another frequent target of his criticism.

The Trump administration is pursuing a separate case against Comey over an Instagram photograph featuring seashells arranged to spell “8647.” Prosecutors said the image amounted to a threat against the president. Comey has denied intending any violent meaning.

Trump also said he believed the FBI had protected the Biden family before the 2020 election. His comments add a political dimension to a case already focused on alleged misconduct by former federal investigators.

Why Floris’ FBI Background Matters

Floris served as the FBI’s security lead for the 2020 presidential election. She joined the bureau in 2005 as an intelligence analyst, worked on the director’s daily briefing staff and later advanced to the counterterrorism division in 2017.

Benavides worked on election security, foreign influence and Chinese intelligence threats. Both officials became part of broader Republican criticism concerning how the FBI handled information about foreign efforts to influence the 2020 election.

Republicans have alleged that FBI officials suppressed a report concerning China’s election activities to protect then-Director Christopher Wray. Intelligence officials and Floris’ legal team have countered that the report was pulled through a routine administrative process because it may have contained unverified or flawed intelligence.

What Happens Next in the Federal Case?

Neither Floris nor Benavides has been indicted by a federal grand jury. That distinction is important because the current complaint represents an accusation, not a final determination that the defendants committed a crime.

Both former officials face one count of allegedly lying to Congress.
The charges relate to FBI work involving Hunter Biden and foreign influence investigations.
Floris’ defense says the prosecution is politically motivated.
Benavides’ attorney says the allegations are baseless.
The defendants remain entitled to the presumption of innocence.

The case also arrives as some federal grand jurors in Washington have shown skepticism toward prosecutions brought during Trump’s second term. Earlier this year, grand jurors rejected an effort to indict six Democratic members of Congress over a video criticized by Trump.

For now, the allegations against Nikki Floris remain unresolved. The proceedings are likely to intensify debate over the Justice Department, FBI independence, election investigations and the political use of criminal charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Nikki Floris?

Nikki Floris is a former FBI intelligence official who worked in counterterrorism, election security and foreign influence investigations. She served with the bureau for nearly 20 years.

What is Nikki Floris accused of doing?

Prosecutors accuse Floris of lying to Congress about her role in the Foreign Influence Task Force and FBI investigations involving Hunter Biden.

Has Nikki Floris been convicted?

No. Floris has only been charged through a criminal complaint. She remains presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the allegations in court.

Who was charged alongside Floris?

Bradley Benavides, a former FBI official who worked on election security and foreign intelligence matters, was charged in the same case.