# FBI Director Kash Patel Details New Charges Against FBI Officials

> FBI Director Kash Patel details new charges against two former FBI officials for lying to Congress about Hunter Biden laptop investigations.
- Title: FBI Director Kash Patel Details New Charges Against FBI…
- Summary: FBI Director Kash Patel details new charges against two former FBI officials for lying to Congress about Hunter Biden laptop investigations. FBI Director…
- Keywords: kash patel, fbi, hunter biden, laptop scandal, congress, fbi officials, false statements, Director, Kash, Patel, Details, Charges
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/kash-patel-lays-out-details-behind-new-charges-tied-to-hunter-biden-laptop-12612062
- Published: 2026-10-23T17:28:58+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kash patel, fbi, hunter biden, laptop scandal, congress, fbi officials, false statements
## FBI Charges Against Officials
FBI Director Kash Patel details new charges against two former FBI officials for lying to Congress about Hunter Biden laptop investigations.
## Two Officials Surrendered
Nikki Cole Floris, 46, and Bradley Benavides, 56, surrendered to authorities after a criminal complaint accused each of making materially false statements to the House Judiciary Committee in 2023.
## Charges Under Federal Law
Both face one count under federal law prohibiting knowingly and willfully making false statements in matters within the legislative branch’s jurisdiction.
## Investigation Background
The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into the since-dissolved FBI Foreign Influence Task Force (FITF) that Floris led as Deputy Assistant Director from mid-2019 through mid-2022.
## Floris and Benavides Testified
Both testified that the FITF was not involved in Hunter Biden investigations, but documentary evidence, communications, and witness accounts contradict their testimony.
## Floris Described Shadow Government
Patel also referenced an allegation that Floris privately described herself as 'running a shadow government' during the 2020 election.
## Key takeaway

FBI Director Kash Patel charged two former FBI officials with lying to Congress about Hunter Biden laptop investigations.