In a recent development, the Department of Justice has initiated fresh criminal charges against Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden. The charges allege that Hunter Biden failed to settle $1.4 million in taxes while indulging in an opulent lifestyle.
The indictment, filed in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, slaps Hunter Biden with three felony and six misdemeanor tax offenses, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 17 years if convicted. The Justice Department affirmed that the investigation into Biden’s financial affairs is ongoing.
According to the indictment, Hunter Biden orchestrated a four-year scheme to evade paying federal taxes, diverting substantial amounts into pursuits such as drugs, escorts, luxury hotels, and more. Notably, over $70,000 was reportedly spent on drug rehabilitation.
Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, countered the charges, asserting that his client had repaid the taxes in full. Lowell accused U.S. Special Counsel David Weiss, leading the probe into Hunter Biden, of backtracking on a prior agreement.
“If Hunter’s last name was anything other than Biden, the charges in Delaware, and now California, would not have been brought,” Lowell remarked.
The White House refrained from commenting on the matter, leaving the unfolding legal drama without an official response.
Hunter Biden, known for his roles on the boards of Burisma, a Ukrainian conglomerate, and a Chinese private equity fund, reportedly earned over $7 million in gross income between 2016 and October 2020. The indictment details nearly $2.3 million in income from his position on Burisma’s board.
Republicans have long targeted Hunter Biden’s involvement with Burisma, accusing him of leveraging his family name for financial gain. The indictment emphasizes Hunter Biden’s legal obligation to pay taxes on all sources of income, including those earned abroad.
The document sheds light on Hunter Biden’s escalating spending, citing expenses exceeding $1.8 million in 2018 alone, including substantial cash withdrawals, payments to women, and expenditures on clothing and accessories. Notably, these funds were allegedly not allocated to paying taxes for the same year.
Hunter Biden previously pleaded not guilty to charges in Delaware related to false statements about his drug use while purchasing a handgun. The recent charges in California add to the legal woes of the president’s son.
David Weiss, the U.S. Special Counsel overseeing the investigation, was appointed by former President Donald Trump and later made special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland in August. The legal saga continues as the Justice Department seeks to address allegations of tax evasion and extravagant spending by Hunter Biden.
The unfolding drama surrounding Hunter Biden’s legal battles underscores the complex interplay of politics, family ties, and legal accountability in the U.S. judicial landscape.
