Staff Reports
A federal appeals court has upheld the detention of a former FBI informant charged with fabricating a bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden’s family. The court sided with a lower court's assessment that the man posed a flight risk and that no conditions could ensure his presence at trial. The appeals court also dismissed the man's request for temporary release to undergo eye surgery.
The accused was arrested for allegedly telling his FBI handler that executives from a Ukrainian energy company had paid both President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each in 2015. This claim became a focal point in the Republican-led impeachment inquiry into President Biden. The informant has entered a not guilty plea to the charges.
Ex-FBI informant charged with lying about Bidens must remain jailed, appeals court rules https://t.co/URxNcWK8ea pic.twitter.com/igBawKiCjw
— The Independent (@Independent) May 2, 2024
A district court judge had previously ordered that the man remain in jail pending trial, citing significant risk that he might attempt to flee. The man's legal team continues to argue for his release, stating that he has no prior criminal record and that his incarceration hinders his ability to prepare his defense.
Prosecutors have disclosed that the accused had extensive communications with individuals connected to Russian intelligence and that his incendiary accusations against the Bidens appeared to be motivated by bias against Joe Biden as a presidential candidate. According to court documents, the man's dealings with the Ukrainian energy company began in 2017 and were limited to routine business transactions.
The defendant's legal team may request a review of the ruling by the full appeals court or petition the Supreme Court to further challenge his continued detention.
