The recently released FBI documents shed light on allegations of bribery and coercion involving then-Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden in their dealings with Ukrainian energy company Burisma. These accusations suggest that the Bidens were “coerced” into receiving millions of dollars in exchange for pressuring the Ukrainian government to dismiss prosecutor Viktor Shokin, who was investigating the company. In this article, we will delve into the details of these allegations, the evidence presented, and the potential implications.
According to the unclassified FBI documents obtained by Senator Chuck Grassley, Burisma co-founder and CEO Mykola Zlochevsky allegedly disclosed to a confidential human source (CHS) that he had paid “5 (million) to one Biden, and 5 (million) to another” during a meeting in August 2016. Zlochevsky reportedly claimed that it was too late to change his decision, implying that he had already made the payments to the Bidens to influence the firing of prosecutor Viktor Shokin.
Zlochevsky further revealed to the CHS that he possessed 17 recordings of his interactions, including two with Joe Biden and fifteen with Hunter Biden. These recordings allegedly provide evidence of Zlochevsky being coerced into paying the Bidens to ensure the dismissal of Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin.
In a phone conversation shortly after the 2016 presidential election, Zlochevsky allegedly expressed reluctance to pay the Bidens, claiming that he was “pushed to pay” them. The FBI report states that Zlochevsky used the Russian term “poluchili” to describe the alleged payments, which can be translated as “got it” or “received it,” but also carries connotations of being forced or coerced to pay.
Zlochevsky assured the CHS that his financial dealings with the Bidens would remain undisclosed. However, he did mention that investigators would take a decade to uncover the illicit payments made to Joe Biden.
The FBI report highlights that the practice of making bribes is commonplace among businessmen in post-Soviet countries, particularly in Russia and Ukraine. Zlochevsky’s alleged bragging about bribes aligns with this cultural context, where corruption is unfortunately pervasive. However, it is essential to note that these allegations require thorough investigation and verification.
The release of these FBI documents has ignited a wave of controversy and speculation. The allegations against the Bidens raise questions about potential abuse of power and influence. The public deserves transparency and accountability from its elected officials, and any evidence of wrongdoing should be thoroughly examined. The FBI documents provide a starting point for further scrutiny into the relationship between the Bidens and Burisma.
Leave a Comment