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Judge dismisses case against ex-FBI officials, says DOJ rushed charges before midterms
Reuters • • general
Key Points:
- A federal judge dismissed a criminal case against former FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, ruling that prosecutors failed to prove they knowingly lied about their involvement in an investigation of Hunter Biden.
- US Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui criticized the Justice Department for what he described as a politically motivated prosecution aimed at influencing the upcoming midterm elections.
- The judge highlighted procedural errors and a rushed investigation, suggesting the case was weaponized to score political points before the elections.
- Floris and Benavides were accused of lying during 2023 congressional testimony regarding their roles in probes involving Hunter Biden and materials from his laptop, but the judge found some statements were truthful or honest memory lapses.
- The case's dismissal represents another setback for the Justice Department's efforts to investigate individuals perceived as adversaries by former President Trump, amid concerns about political interference in federal law enforcement.
