Two former FBI officials charged over congressional testimony

The Justice Department has charged former FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides with making false statements to Congress about investigations involving Hunter Biden, allegations the pair deny through Floris’s attorneys. Each faces one count stemming from testimony to lawmakers in 2023. The charges were filed by criminal complaint, not a grand-jury indictment, and do not establish that either defendant is guilty. Prosecutors have yet to secure an indictment. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the officials allegedly lied about their roles in the FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations and the bureau’s Foreign Influence Task Force. FBI Director Kash Patel said both testified that the task force was not involved, and that documentary evidence, communications and witness accounts contradicted their testimony. The supplied accounts do not include the underlying complaint or exhibits detailing that evidence. Floris and Benavides appeared in federal court in Washington on Friday and were released pending further proceedings. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Tuesday. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui said charging them by complaint over conduct he described as old was unusual,...