Judge Throws Out Case Against Two Former FBI Officials Over Hunter Biden Inquiry

WHO:

CNN - Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui dismissed the case against former FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, both described as former top Washington-based intelligence specialists.

CBS News Politics - The officials’ names were given as Nicole Floris and Bradley Benavides.

NBC News - A person familiar with the matter confirmed the dismissal to NBC News.

Fox News - The judge accused Trump and Kash Patel of directing a “rush job.”

WHAT:

NBC News - A judge dismissed a criminal complaint against two former FBI officials accused of lying to Congress about what they knew about the Hunter Biden investigation.

CNN - The officials faced one count each of making a false statement; prosecutors later added an obstruction charge that had not been signed by a judge or law-enforcement officer.

CNN - Faruqui found the case lacked probable cause and said, “I am deeply troubled by what has happened in this case.”

CNN - Faruqui said the case was built on assumptions, filed at the direction of President Donald Trump, and could not be seen “as anything other than weaponization.” He also said it had been “marketing material for people not to join the FBI.”

NY Post - Faruqui said the case “cannot be described as anything other than weaponization” of the Justice Department.

CBS News Politics - Floris and Benavides were accused of falsely suggesting to Congress that they were unaware of federal investigations surrounding Hunter Biden.

WHERE:

CNN - The statements at issue were made to the House Judiciary Committee; the officials were based in Washington.

NY Post - The case was before a federal judge in Washington, D.C.

WHY:

CNN - The charges arose from statements made during congressional questioning about an FBI election-interference task force’s involvement in Hunter Biden investigations and a probe into whether FBI investigators sought to minimize Biden-family corruption allegations and evidence related to Hunter Biden’s laptop.

HOW:

CNN - Republicans questioned the officials before the House Judiciary Committee. Faruqui oversaw days of arguments before dismissing the case.

CNN - The charges related to the officials’ statements during a 2023 congressional inquiry.

(UPDATED November 2, 2026 17:01 UTC)

A federal judge dismissed charges against two former FBI officials accused of misleading Congress about Hunter Biden investigations. Judge Zia Faruqui said the case lacked probable cause and criticized its political direction. The officials had faced false-statement charges.