Allegations of Bribery Scheme Involving Joe Biden and Burisma Holdings Surface
(AP)
A recent report by Fox News has thrust President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, into the spotlight, alleging their involvement in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian natural gas company, Burisma Holdings. According to the report, a confidential source within the FBI claims that Joe Biden, during his tenure as Vice President, and his son Hunter were implicated in receiving a total of $10 million in bribes from the firm.
This startling revelation hinges on a document from the FBI, wherein the informant detailed interactions with a Burisma executive that purportedly dates back to 2015. Hunter Biden’s association with Burisma has long been a subject of controversy, with his board membership at the firm scrutinized for potential conflicts of interest given his father’s influential political position at the time.
The FBI document, identified as an FD-1023 form and dated June 30, 2020, outlines allegations that then-Vice President Biden might have been involved in a criminal scheme with foreign nationals, potentially influencing U.S. policy decisions. The informant, described as a ‘highly credible’ business professional with connections to the Ukrainian firm, reportedly advised Burisma on expanding its operations into the U.S. oil market, as reported by BBC.
During discussions in 2015 and 2016, the Burisma executive allegedly conveyed the firm’s strategic intentions and Hunter Biden’s role within the company. The source claimed that when questioning the executive about Hunter’s involvement, despite his lack of expertise, the executive dismissively referred to him as ‘dumb.’
This information adds another layer to the complex narrative surrounding the Bidens’ dealings with Ukraine, particularly the claim that Burisma made two separate $5 million payments as part of a scheme aimed at ousting Viktor Shokin, the Ukrainian prosecutor general at the time. The executive allegedly told the informant that these payments were intended as a ‘retainer’ for the Bidens to address various issues, including investigations led by Shokin that could threaten Burisma’s ambitions in the American market.
The payment method described by the source suggests a deliberate attempt to obscure the money trail, alleging that the funds were distributed through numerous bank accounts to complicate any potential investigation. This claim implies a sophisticated ‘pay-to-play’ strategy, designed to ensure the Bidens’ cooperation while safeguarding Burisma’s interests.
Adding to the controversy is a statement made by Joe Biden at a Council on Foreign Relations event in 2018, where he recounted pressuring Ukraine to dismiss Shokin by threatening to withhold financial aid. Biden’s candid recounting of the ultimatum, “I’m leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you’re not getting the money,” and his subsequent remark, “Well, son of a b***h, he got fired,” have fueled further speculation about the depth of his involvement with Burisma and whether his actions were influenced by his son’s position at the company.
This intricate web of allegations, payments, and political maneuvering paints a complex picture of international relations and the intertwining of personal and political interests. As the story unfolds, the veracity of these claims and their implications for the Bidens and U.S. foreign policy remain under intense scrutiny.
