Graham: Hunter Biden Prosecutor Knew of Bribery Allegation
Fred Lucas /
The federal prosecutor overseeing the Hunter Biden plea deal that garnered no jail time was aware of the FBI form that alleged a foreign national bribed President Joe Biden when he served as vice president, according to a letter Wednesday from the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., sent separate letters to Attorney General Merrick Garland and U.S. Attorney David Weiss for the District of Delaware, regarding IRS whistleblower allegations, and the FD-1023 form that says an executive with the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid two $5 million bribes to both Joe and Hunter Biden.
“I have been informed that you and your office were briefed on allegations in a FD-1023 form suggesting there may have been phone calls recorded between Hunter Biden and Joe Biden with a senior official at Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy company,” Graham says in a letter to Weiss.
“The FD-1023 in question alleges that the confidential informant told the Department of Justice and FBI that such tapes may exist,” the senator continued. “Were you in fact briefed on these allegations by United States Attorney Scott Brady or anyone else? If yes, what actions were taken to investigate this matter and what was the final disposition?”
An IRS whistleblower, Gary Shapley, told the House Ways and Means Committee that Weiss asked to be a special counsel, believing charges could be brought against Hunter Biden in Washington, D.C. and in California. However, the whistleblower says that Garland opposed this.
“They also state that efforts to bring stronger cases in Washington, D.C., and California were rejected. These allegations are corroborated by a contemporaneous e-mail. It is imperative these allegations are addressed head-on,” Graham’s letter says.
This marks the first acknowledgment or reference that federal prosecutors investigating Hunter Biden were aware of the bribery allegation.
As a member of the minority party, Graham does not have subpoena power. But in the House, where Republicans have a majority, both the House Ways and Means Committee as well as the House Oversight and Accountability Committee are investigating the matter.
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