Former FBI informant charged with lying about Bidens to remain jailed awaiting trial, judge rules

The former FBI informant who was charged with fabricating a corruption scheme involving President Joe Biden's family was ordered to remain in jail ahead of trial, a judge ruled Monday.

Los Angeles-based federal Judge Otis Wright II reversed an earlier order to release Alexander Smirnov after prosecutors expressed concerns that he may try to flee the country due to his alleged Russian intelligence connections, per The Associated Press. 

Wright said he did not believe it was possible to create release conditions that would adequately prevent Smirnov from absconding.

"There is nothing garden variety about this case," Wright said before issuing his decision. "I have not changed my mind. This man will be remanded pending trial."

An earlier judge had released Smirnov from jail with an electronic GPS monitoring system after he was arrested on Feb. 14, but Wright ordered him back in custody after being asked to do so by prosecutors. 

Smirnov faces charges after he allegedly presented the FBI with a fabricated story about the Biden family's business with the Ukrainian energy firm Burisma. 

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