Two former senior FBI officials have been indicted by federal prosecutors for allegedly making false statements to Congress regarding their participation in investigations into Hunter Biden. Nikki Cole Floris and Bradley Benavides surrendered Friday on arrest warrants following a criminal complaint charging each with falsifying congressional testimony.

Floris, 46, of Alexandria, Virginia, served as deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force from mid-2019 through mid-2022. Benavides, 56, of Aiken, South Carolina, held the position of section chief for that unit during the same period. The task force was established to defend the 2020 election against foreign interference.

Prosecutors allege both officials concealed their deep involvement in Hunter Biden-related matters while leading the unit. According to the complaint, Floris falsely claimed she had not participated in discussions about Hunter Biden investigations for over a year, and Benavides asserted he learned of Hunter Biden’s laptop only after reading a Wikipedia article in 2023.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia revealed that federal prosecutors reviewed documentary evidence, contemporaneous communications, and witness accounts showing Floris routinely discussed Hunter Biden cases with FBI personnel before the 2020 election. Similarly, Benavides allegedly shared details about the laptop with other officials prior to the election.

The charges stem from a single count of making false statements in a matter within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch—a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2). Prosecutors emphasized that Congress specifically questioned the former leaders of the task force, which prosecutors assert participated in Hunter Biden investigations while simultaneously safeguarding election integrity from foreign interference.

Both defendants appeared in federal court after surrendering and are set to face a preliminary hearing on Tuesday. Their attorneys have challenged the government’s evidence and timing, arguing the case presents an unusual procedural path for allegations dating back to 2023. The Justice Department maintains this matter relates directly to congressional testimony and not the underlying Hunter Biden investigations.