Senator Chuck Grassley is demanding answers from Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss regarding the Justice Department's handling of a key FBI document in the Hunter Biden investigation. Grassley alleges that federal prosecutors and agents involved in the Hunter Biden case were briefed on an FBI document detailing an alleged bribery scheme involving Joe Biden in October 2020. However, IRS agents were notably absent from this briefing, raising concerns, particularly given recent whistleblower allegations about political influence in the Hunter Biden probe.
The document at the center of the controversy is an FBI FD-1023 form, created in June 2020. It summarizes an interview with a confidential source deemed "highly credible" by the FBI. This source reportedly detailed numerous interactions with a high-ranking Burisma Holdings executive, beginning in 2015. The executive alleged payments of $5 million each to both Hunter and Joe Biden in exchange for political favors. Hunter Biden served on Burisma's board at the time.
Grassley's letter to Weiss questions the steps taken to investigate these serious claims. He points out the potential exposure of the FD-1023 to numerous DOJ and FBI officials, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. The Senator also highlighted allegations from IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley regarding Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf. Shapley claims Wolf obstructed investigators' attempts to gather information about Joe Biden's potential involvement in his son's business dealings and even tipped off Hunter Biden's legal team about a planned search.
The Burisma executive who made the bribery allegations reportedly possesses 17 audio recordings of conversations with both Joe and Hunter Biden, which he purportedly kept as an "insurance policy." Grassley has given Weiss a deadline of July 21 to provide information regarding the investigative actions taken in response to these allegations. Former Attorney General Bill Barr confirmed last month that the FD-1023 form was forwarded to Weiss, with sources indicating that Weiss's team was briefed on its contents in September 2020. Sources also confirm that the confidential source believes the alleged $5 million payments to both Bidens did occur.
This development comes as Hunter Biden recently reached a plea agreement with the Justice Department, pleading guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and a firearm charge. His first court appearance is scheduled for July 26.
