Hunter Biden has been charged with nine federal tax offenses
Hunter Biden is now facing charges linked to an ongoing Justice Department investigation into his taxes, marking the second criminal case initiated by special counsel David Weiss against President Joe Biden's son. The charges encompass nine counts, including failure to file and pay taxes, evasion of assessment, and the submission of false or fraudulent tax returns. CNN was the first to report the filing of this new criminal case. The resolution of the case was on the verge of completion in July, but a plea deal fell apart, leading to the initiation of the new tax case against Hunter Biden. This case is connected to his profitable business ventures overseas, a focal point in House Republicans' impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
As the president embarks on a campaign for a second term in the White House, he finds himself simultaneously contending with a Republican impeachment effort, while his son works to evade imprisonment in two separate criminal cases. Hunter Biden's legal team has not provided immediate comments, and CNN has sought a response from the White House. According to court documents related to a defunct plea deal, Hunter Biden consistently missed IRS deadlines for timely federal tax payments, accumulating approximately $2 million in government debt. In 2021, he repaid the amount with a loan from a friend. Federal prosecutors have been investigating Hunter Biden's finances since 2018, with David Weiss, a US attorney appointed by Trump, designated as special counsel in August.
Despite the appearance of the probe winding down this summer, when Hunter Biden agreed to plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors, both deals collapsed due to judicial scrutiny and disagreements over specifics. In September, Weiss indicted Hunter Biden on three charges linked to his 2018 gun purchase in Delaware, alleging he was an illegal drug user at the time. Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to the gun possession and false statements charges. His attorneys previously accused Weiss of succumbing to political pressure from Republicans, posing a significant threat to the justice system. Republicans have criticized Weiss, citing testimony from two IRS whistleblowers who claimed political interference by the Justice Department. The whistleblowers alleged that career IRS agents recommended felony tax charges against Hunter Biden in early 2022. Weiss and Attorney General Merrick Garland have disputed these claims.
Hunter Biden earned millions from private equity deals, corporate consulting, and legal fees in various countries, including Ukraine, China, and Romania. Prosecutors contend that he had the means to buy luxury items but missed IRS deadlines despite warnings from accountants and associates. House Republicans have focused on these overseas deals in their probes, suggesting Hunter Biden leveraged his father's position for financial gain. While their impeachment inquiry centers on unproven claims that Joe Biden engaged in "corrupt" business deals with his son, federal prosecutors have not provided evidence supporting GOP assertions that Joe Biden collaborated with Hunter or abused his powers for family enrichment.
