Here’s what we know about Alexander Smirnov, who is appearing in court today

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Alexander Smirnov, an FBI informant charged with fabricating a bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden, Hunter Biden and a Ukrainian energy company, is scheduled to appear in a federal courtroom this afternoon in Las Vegas.

Federal prosecutors say Smirnov falsely reported to the FBI in June 2020 that executives associated with the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid Hunter and Joe Biden $5 million each in 2015 or 2016, prosecutors said in an indictment. Smirnov told his handler that an executive claimed to have hired Hunter Biden to “protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems,” according to court documents.

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Smirnov was arrested “on or about” Feb. 14, at Harry Reid International Airport, according to a court motion filed electronically on Monday. That document provides some insight into Smirnov’s presence in Las Vegas. He is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court at 3 p.m. (PST) on Tuesday. Here’s what we know about him from the motion, which seeks his immediate release:

• Smirnov is 43 years old and has no prior criminal history.

• He has hired the high-powered Las Vegas law firm of Chesnoff & Schonfeld. Chesnoff was law partners with Oscar Goodman before Goodman’s entrance into politics. His celebrity clients range from Paris Hilton to Mike Tyson to former Las Vegas Raider Henry Ruggs.

• He’s currently being housed in a federal detention facility in Pahrump.

• Smirnov holds an Israeli passport in addition to his U.S. passport, which was seized by federal authorities.

• He is charged with making false statements to a government agent and falsifying records in a federal investigation.

• Smirnov has served as a confidential FBI informant for several years, and the violations stem from events in 2020.

• He’s in a long-term relationship with his “significant other,” Las Vegas resident Diana Lavrenyuk. They live in Levrenyuk’s home, purchased two years ago when she moved from California.

• Smirnov has “significant medical issues related to his eyes,” and has had seven surgeries in the past year, requiring ongoing care and daily medication.

• He has a close relationship with a cousin in Florida, Linor Shefer, who is expected to be in Las Vegas for his court appearance.

In arguing for Smirnov’s release, his lawyers say, “Mr. Smirnov has an exemplary character and is in good mental health. Mr. Smirnov has ongoing medical issues related to his eyes and will need continuing care.” They cite his ties to the community and challenge any characterization that he is a flight risk, and suggest that electronic monitoring and travel restrictions would be sufficient.

The motion indicates it would be difficult to mount a defense without better access to Smirnov than is currently provided while he is in protective custody in Pahrump.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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