**Former FBI Informant Smirnov Sentenced**
A man named Smirnov has been accused of lying about the US President, Joe Biden. He claimed that President Biden and his son Hunter each received $5 million from a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma.
Smirnov was also in trouble for not paying taxes on time. He had to give the IRS almost $675,000 as punishment. But what’s interesting is that during an investigation, Smirnov said some people from Burisma told him they paid President Biden and his son Hunter a total of $10 million to help them with problems in the US.
This happened when Joe Biden was the Vice President under Barack Obama, and Hunter Biden worked for Burisma’s board of directors. The FBI looked into this case but decided not to pursue it further. However, some Republicans in Congress wanted to investigate more and even impeach President Biden.
**Smirnov Had Personal Reasons**
Prosecutors said Smirnov had a personal grudge against President Biden and made up the story about bribery to hurt him during the 2020 election. They also said Smirnov had ties with Russian intelligence services. He was arrested in Nevada when he returned from abroad in February 2024.
Smirnov could have faced up to 35 years in prison, but as part of an agreement, he got a much shorter sentence of four to six years and a fine. His lawyers argued that Smirnov should get only four years because of his health problems.
**Hunter Biden’s Case**
The same prosecutor who investigated Smirnov also charged Hunter Biden with tax evasion and arms trafficking charges. A jury found him guilty of three gun-related crimes, and he later admitted to nine federal tax offenses. However, President Biden pardoned his son before the verdict in both cases.