In a recent development, the Department of Justice has brought forth fresh criminal charges against Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden. The charges allege that Hunter failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes while indulging in a lavish lifestyle.
The indictment, filed in U.S. District Court, Central District of California, includes three felony and six misdemeanor tax offenses against the 53-year-old Biden. If convicted, he could face up to 17 years in prison. The Department of Justice emphasized that the investigation into Hunter Biden is still ongoing.
According to the indictment, Hunter engaged in a four-year scheme to evade self-assessed federal taxes, diverting funds towards a lifestyle that involved substantial spending on drugs, escorts, luxury hotels, rental properties, exotic cars, clothing, and more. Notably, he reportedly spent over $70,000 on drug rehabilitation.
Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, claimed that his client had repaid the taxes in full. Lowell accused U.S. Special Counsel David Weiss, leading the investigation, of bias and reneging on a previous agreement. Lowell argued that if Hunter’s last name were different, the charges would not have been brought.
The indictment outlines Hunter Biden’s substantial earnings while serving on the boards of Burisma, a Ukrainian industrial conglomerate, and a Chinese private equity fund. Prosecutors claim he received over $7 million in gross income between 2016 and October 2020. Hunter’s association with Burisma has been a target of criticism from Republican lawmakers, who allege he used his family name for financial gain overseas.
The indictment further reveals Hunter’s additional income from CEFC China Energy Co Ltd, a Chinese energy conglomerate. As his income increased, so did his spending, with the filing noting that in 2018 alone, Hunter spent over $1.8 million, including significant amounts on cash withdrawals, payments to women, and clothing and accessories.
In October, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to charges in Delaware related to allegedly lying about his drug use while purchasing a handgun. Weiss, appointed by former President Donald Trump and later made special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland, has been at the forefront of these legal proceedings.
The legal saga surrounding Hunter Biden has been marked by a proposed plea deal in Delaware, which fell apart in July after U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika rejected it. Former President Trump criticized the proposed deal, claiming it amounted to preferential treatment for the president’s son. The White House has refrained from commenting on the recent charges, and it remains uncertain when Hunter Biden will appear in court. The case underscores the ongoing legal challenges faced by the President’s son, with the potential for significant consequences if the charges lead to a conviction.
Inputs from Reuters.