In a stunning turn of events, Alexander Smirnov, a long-time FBI informant, has been charged with obstructing justice and lying to federal agents. The charges stem from his false allegations that President Biden and his son Hunter accepted $5 million in bribes from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Smirnov’s extensive ties to Russian intelligence agencies and his history of spreading misinformation have raised concerns about his role as a vector of Russian disinformation.
Smirnov’s life has been shrouded in secrecy and mystery. He lived a seemingly unremarkable life in the suburbs of Los Angeles with his long-term girlfriend, Diana Lavrenyuk, before his arrest. Their sudden departure from their rental homes and mounting credit card debt raised eyebrows among their former landlords. Smirnov’s financial situation also came under scrutiny, with prosecutors questioning the source of his wealth, which now exceeds $6 million.
The details of Smirnov’s covert work for the FBI remain undisclosed, but it is clear that he had an extensive network of contacts and was authorized to break the law as part of his informant activities. His close relationship with his FBI handler, based in the Seattle field office, spanned over a decade, with daily communication and a level of trust described as familial.
The charges against Smirnov revolve around his false claims about Burisma and the Bidens. He alleged that Burisma executives confessed to hiring Hunter Biden and paying $5 million each to him and his father to quash a criminal inquiry. However, prosecutors assert that the people involved in the alleged meetings and phone calls will refute any discussion of the Bidens. The FBI’s decision to re-interview Smirnov in 2020, at the request of former Attorney General William Barr and his deputy, has raised questions about the potential laundering of foreign disinformation through the Department of Justice.
Since his arrest, federal officials and Smirnov’s defense team have been locked in a battle over whether he should remain in custody or be released before trial. Prosecutors argue that his extensive contacts with overseas intelligence and access to millions of dollars make him a flight risk.
