The son of the current US President, Joe Biden, Hunter, is facing nine counts of tax crimes. The charges include three felonies and six misdemeanors, such as failure to file and pay taxes, false tax return, and evasion of assessment.
According to the indictment, he was involved in evading $1.4 million in taxes from 2016 to 2019 to fund his extravagant lifestyle. This allegedly included spending money on drugs, escorts, luxury hotels, rental properties, exotic cars, clothing, and other personal items.
Between 2016 and 2020, Hunter Biden allegedly earned more than $7 million, with income sources coming from business relationships with Chinese energy company CEFC China Energy and Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings Limited, among others.
Detailed breakdowns of his expenditures were provided, including payments to various women, adult entertainment, clothing, and health and beauty expenses.
The indictment also accuses Biden of claiming personal expenses as business deductions to lower his tax payments. Examples include luxury car rentals and hotels being claimed as business travel and academic tutoring for his daughter as a “legal professional and consulting” expense.
However, the indictment claims that Hunter Biden did not conduct any business in the hotels.
Hunter Biden’s memoir, “Beautiful Things,” was also cited as evidence by federal prosecutors as it supports the indictment’s claims. The memoir allegedly details extensive drug and alcohol use during 2018, contradicting claims of substantial business expenses during that time.
If found guilty, Hunter Biden could face up to 17 years in jail.
Earlier this year, an expected plea deal on misdemeanor tax charges fell apart after being criticized as “unusual” and a “sweetheart deal” by a judge and congressional Republicans. In September, Hunter Biden was indicted on federal firearm charges in Delaware.
Despite these charges, Hunter Biden’s lawyer claims that the new charges are politically motivated, suggesting they wouldn’t have been brought if his last name were not Biden.
The US Department of Justice Special Counsel David Weiss has been investigating Hunter Biden since 2019.
Despite having sufficient funds to pay outstanding taxes, Hunter Biden allegedly chose not to do so.
As of now, Congressional Republicans are focusing on Hunter Biden’s business dealings in an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
IRS whistleblowers previously claimed Hunter Biden received lenient treatment and should have faced more serious tax crimes.
Note that this is the second criminal case brought against Hunter Biden by Special Counsel David Weiss, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Though Joe Biden is not accused of any wrongdoing and is not mentioned in the indictment, the criminal case could complicate President Biden’s 2024 reelection bid amid claims by Republicans that Hunter Biden improperly used his father’s position for business deals in foreign countries.
Material has been released by Republicans, but as of now, there is no proof of wrongdoing by the president.
