Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, is expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanour tax crimes and acknowledge the unlawful possession of a firearm while being a drug user following a five-year investigation.
The US Attorney in Delaware has filed documents indicating a plea agreement has been reached, which is likely to result in him avoiding incarceration. This development has sparked concerns among prominent Republicans, who argue that it highlights a “two-tiered system of justice.”
The Department of Justice has stated that, in theory, Hunter could face up to a year in prison for each tax charge and up to 10 years for the gun charge. As part of the proposed agreement, he is expected to undergo drug treatment and monitoring.
The final agreement will require approval from the judge overseeing the case, who will also determine his sentence. The timing of Hunter Biden’s court appearance to enter the guilty plea for the tax charges remains uncertain.
His lawyer, Chris Clark, explained that he will also acknowledge the felony gun possession through a separate “pre-trial diversion agreement.” Clark emphasized that Hunter takes responsibility for the mistakes made during a period of turmoil and addiction and is committed to his recovery.
“I know Hunter believes it is important to take responsibility for these mistakes he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life,” Clark added. “He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward.”
While the specific conditions of his probation will be determined by the court, Clark anticipates his client will be released without further conditions after the court appearance.
“I think the judge is going to do what’s fair and I think what’s fair is my client gets on with his life,” he said.
Hunter Biden, 53, has previously worked as a lawyer and lobbyist, including overseas in China and Ukraine. In 2014, he was discharged from the US Navy after testing positive for cocaine.
This plea deal concludes a lengthy investigation by the Department of Justice into potential income misreporting and false statements regarding a firearm purchase in 2018. The two tax misdemeanour charges stem from his failure to pay over $100,000 in taxes for both 2017 and 2018. An ex-justice department official noted that such amounts would typically lead to misdemeanour charges but could potentially result in jail time.
The gun charge pertains to his possession of a firearm while being a drug user in 2018. In his 2021 book, Hunter admitted to heavy crack cocaine use during that period but reportedly denied being an unlawful drug user on a federal form, which can carry a jail sentence if false.
The plea agreement has generated swift and strong criticism from former President Donald Trump, his campaign, and senior congressional Republicans, who characterize it as a lenient deal that overlooks corruption. Republican lawmakers aim to leverage this case to bolster a separate investigation into Hunter.
Democratic response to the plea deal has been relatively muted, with some emphasizing that the case should now be considered closed and dismissing the unfounded allegations Republicans have made against Hunter.
The White House released a brief statement expressing support for Hunter as he rebuilds his life, saying that President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden “love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life. We will have no further comment.”
Although Hunter has openly discussed his troubled life and struggles with addiction, he previously denied engaging in illegal activities. He confirmed knowledge of the investigation in December 2020 and expressed confidence that a comprehensive review would demonstrate his adherence to legal and appropriate procedures with the guidance of professional tax advisers.
Information for this briefing was found via BBC and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
