Hunter Biden has reached agreements with the Department of Justice regarding three federal charges brought against him after a multi-year investigation.
President Joe Biden’s son will plead guilty to two counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax. He will enter a pretrial diversion agreement on a third federal charge – possession of a gun by a person who is a user or addict of illegal drugs.
As part of the deal, United States Attorney for Delaware David Weiss will reportedly recommend the younger Biden be sentenced to probation for the tax-related charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison. Hunter Biden’s sentence will ultimately be determined by a judge.
The 53-year-old Biden failed to pay income taxes in 2017 and 2018. He paid the missing sum in 2022 in what is believed to be an effort to avoid being criminally charged.
The DOJ and Biden’s legal team have “jointly requested that the Court schedule a consolidated Initial appearance” on both the tax charges and for the diversion agreement, according to court documents filed on June 20.
In a statement reported by NBC News, Weiss said “Hunter Biden received taxable income in excess of $1,500,000 annually in calendar years 2017 and 2018” but, “despite owing in excess of $100,000 in federal income taxes each year, he did not pay the income tax due for either year."
Weiss also said Biden possessed a Colt Cobra .38-caliber revolver from Oct. 12 to Oct. 23, 2018 “despite knowing he was an unlawful user of and addicted to a controlled substance.” According to The Washington Post, Biden denied using drugs or having a drug problem when filling out paperwork to buy the gun. The gun charge brought against him is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Under the diversion agreement, Biden will not plead guilty to the firearms charge and, if he meets the conditions of the agreement, the charge will be removed from his record.
Biden is not expected to serve any jail time.
“Weiss was appointed to his post by then-President Donald Trump, and was allowed to remain in that position after Joe Biden’s election to continue what has been a five-year criminal investigation of the president’s son,” reports CNBC.
Hunter Biden currently resides in Malibu, California. His attorney, Chris Clark, told NBC News that “with the announcement of two agreements … it is my understanding that the five-year investigation into Hunter is resolved."
Clark continued:Hunter will take responsibility for two instances of misdemeanor failure to file tax payments when due pursuant to a plea agreement. A firearm charge, which will be subject to a pretrial diversion agreement and will not be the subject of the plea agreement, will also be filed by the Government. 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. He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward.
Conservatives have denounced the DOJ plea agreement, arguing that Biden deserves to face more harsh punishment.
“Let’s be clear: the Department of Justice’s charges against President Biden’s son Hunter reveals a two-tiered system of justice,” said House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer in a statement. “Hunter Biden is getting away with a slap on the wrist when growing evidence uncovered by the House Oversight Committee reveals the Bidens engaged in a pattern of corruption, influence peddling, and possibly bribery.”
Comer said his committee will continue its investigation regardless of the DOJ’s deal.
“We will not rest until the full extent of President Biden’s involvement in the family’s scheme are revealed,” said the congressman.
"Hunter Biden gets a slap on the wrist for federal tax and gun crimes but they want to give Donald Trump a death sentence. ‘Equal justice under the law,’” tweeted South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace.
