Burisma founder Mykola Zlochevsky, a Ukrainian oligarch who allegedly bribed Joe Biden and Hunter Biden, was “coerced” into sending money to them, according to an FBI FD-1023 form released Thursday by Republican Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley.
According to the document, Mr. Zlochevsky and Confidential Sources (CHS) participated in a call after the 2016 presidential election, in which Mr. Zlochevsky said the Bidens were “pressed to pay” him and did not want to transfer money. (Related: Hunter Biden tried to secure U.S. visa for Ukrainian oligarch allegedly involved in bribery scheme)
Read the full form:
“CHS asked Zlochevsky if he was concerned about Burisma and the Bidens’ involvement.
“CHS then said, ‘I hope there is some evidence to back up your words (i.e., that Mr. Zlochevsky was ‘coerced’ by the Bidens) to pay.” Mr Zlochevsky replied that he had numerous text messages and “recordings” showing that he was extorted for such payments,” the form added.
“Mr Zlochevsky asked whether it made a (legal) difference whether such payments were made voluntarily or were ‘coerced,'” the form continues.
In writing, the Ukrainian oligarch said it made a total of “17 recordings” involving the Biden family, including two featuring Joe Biden. The other 15 recordings feature only Hunter Biden, who served on Burisma’s board of directors from April 2014 until his retirement in 2019.