A California judge on Monday denied a bail release to ex-FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, who stands accused of lying about the Biden family's business ties. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Prosecutors pointed to Smirnov's wide range of connections and a bank account held under his girlfriend's name that contains $3.7 million.
HUNTER BIDEN WAS PAID $100K A MONTH THROUGH CHINESE FIRM VENTURE, EX-ASSOCIATE TESTIFIED
"He cannot be trusted," prosecutor Leo Wise told Judge Wright.
The defense countered that they were willing to pay for 24/7 private security to ensure Smirnov did not flee. They also committed to renting an apartment in Los Angeles for the duration of the trial, rather than returning to his home in Las Vegas, but the judge dismissed the effort.
Prosecutors say Alexander Smirnov falsely told his handler that Burisma executives paid then-Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, $5 million each around 2015. The claim became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
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He is charged with making a false statement and creating a false and fictitious record. The charges were filed in Los Angeles.
Fox News' Louis Casiano and David Spunt contributed to this report.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
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