Last month, Smirnov pleaded guilty to four felony charges, including one count of obstruction of justice and three counts of tax evasion, and admitted fabricating the conspiracy. As a condition of Smirnov’s plea deal, prosecutors agreed to seek a maximum sentence of six years in prison. Smirnov, a dual American-Israeli citizen, must also pay about $675,000 to the IRS in restitution for his tax evasion charges.

Smirnov’s conviction should bring an end to the case against the president and his son. The only loose end is Weiss’ final report, and Attorney General Merrick Garland will decide whether to make it public. A jury convicted Hunter Biden of weapons offenses in June and pleaded guilty to tax offenses in September. But President Biden pardoned his son before he could be convicted on both counts.

With Donald Trump set to be sworn in as president in less than two weeks, Republicans may try to pretend this whole saga never happened. Or Rep. James Comer and Co. could try to find another “informant” and step up new fees against the Bidens by making good on Trump’s threats to take action against his enemies. Trump’s choice to lead the FBI Kash PatelHe is eager to carry out these threats. The next few months will show whether this case is really closed.