Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui dismissed the criminal complaint after finding the government's rushed, error-riddled effort failed to establish probable cause. The prosecution targeted Bradley Benavides and Nikki Floris over allegations they misled Congress in 2023 regarding Hunter Biden investigations. The court pointed out that FBI Director Kash Patel initiated the probe immediately following a televised address by President Trump, deviating from standard department protocols. While the complaint was dismissed, the Justice Department still holds the legal option to appeal or pursue an indictment through a grand jury.
Key points
The court rejected the government's case due to procedural missteps and an apparent viola…: The court rejected the government's case due to procedural missteps and an apparent violation of policies against election-timed actions.
Justice Department leadership bypassed standard grand jury processes despite waiting thre…: Justice Department leadership bypassed standard grand jury processes despite waiting three full years after the alleged false statements took place.
Federal prosecutors must decide whether to appeal Faruqui's dismissal to the chief judge…: Federal prosecutors must decide whether to appeal Faruqui's dismissal to the chief judge or present evidence to a grand jury.
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A federal magistrate judge on Monday dismissed the Justice Department's criminal case against two former FBI officials charged in connection with the bureau's investigations into former President Joe Biden's son.
Bradley Benavides and Nikki Floris were charged around two weeks ago with lying to Congress in 2023 about their knowledge of the FBI's investigations into Biden's son, Hunter Biden. It is one of several politically charged actions by the Justice Department under President Trump in the run-up to the midterm elections on Tuesday.
At a hearing in federal court in Washington, D.C., U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui castigated the government's investigation into Floris and Benavides, describing it as rushed and riddled with errors.
"I am deeply troubled by what has happened here," Faruqui said in a scathing ruling from the bench. "What transpired here cannot be described as anything other than weaponization."
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The court's ruling came after a days-long preliminary hearing last week to determine whether probable cause existed to charge Floris and Benavides…
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