A key GOP lawmaker claims that the FBI is restricting an investigation into a bribe allegedly linked to President Joe Biden during his time as vice president. Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said in a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray that the law enforcement agency must share a crucial document related to the case or face congressional contempt proceedings.
Comer, the head of the House Oversight Committee, cites a whistleblower report that links the activity of the president’s son Hunter Biden in Ukraine with a significant bribe.
According to the Kentucky Republican, Ukrainian officials attempted to stop an investigation into energy company Burisma’s founder with a $5 million bribe.
Hunter Biden served on the company’s board from 2014 to 2019, while an official from the company met with then-Vice President Biden in 2015.
Ukrainian officials claim that neither Biden was directly involved in a related case, but Comer believes that the FBI file regarding a potential bribe related to the Biden family was “created or modified” in 2020.
Comer’s letter to Wray said that the informant “indicated that the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) are in possession of an FD-1023 form describing an alleged criminal scheme involving then-Vice President Biden and a foreign national relating to the exchange of money for policy decisions.”
Comer called the FBI’s delay in turning the document over to the committee “obstructionist.”
He requested specific search terms related to the document, including the words “five million.” The FBI has until the end of May to respond to Comer’s request or face contempt proceedings.
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FBI Director Wray is defying a congressional subpoena for an unclassified record alleging a criminal scheme involving then-VP Joe Biden and a foreign national.
If Director Wray refuses to hand over this record, @GOPoversight will begin contempt of Congress proceedings. pic.twitter.com/mVttLatbJ5
— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) May 24, 2023
During his time as vice president, Biden pressured the Ukrainian government into firing its top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin.
Shokin was investigating Burisma at the time. Biden told then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko that the United States would withhold $1 billion in loan guarantees until Shokin was removed.
“I said, ‘You’re not getting the billion,’” Biden said. “I looked at them and said: ‘I’m leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you’re not getting the money.’”
