President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, entered a not guilty plea to nine felonies and misdemeanor tax charges in a dramatic courtroom appearance in downtown Los Angeles.
The charges allege that Biden failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes from 2016 to 2019, stemming from his earnings from foreign entities in Ukraine, Romania, and China.
The plea came after a surprise Capitol Hill hearing where Hunter faced potential contempt of Congress for refusing a subpoena in connection with a GOP-led probe into his family’s business affairs. Despite the legal challenges, he personally entered the not guilty plea during his arraignment before Judge Mark Scarsi at the First Street U.S. Courthouse.
The trial date has been set for June 20, a decision not opposed by the government. However, Hunter’s legal team expressed uncertainty, citing a separate indictment in Delaware on felony gun charges.
The discussion also revisited the failed plea deal that led to the tax charges, with Hunter’s attorney expressing frustration and the government stating that plea deals fall apart frequently.
Hunter, released on conditions similar to the Delaware case, must refrain from possessing firearms, alcohol, or bond. He is also subject to drug or alcohol testing if deemed necessary.
Hunter’s Unexpected Testimony
The tax charges, brought forth in December, claimed that Hunter spent millions on an extravagant lifestyle while neglecting tax payments. A third party ultimately made the payment of these overdue taxes in 2020.
Hunter’s lawyer, Kevin Morris, insisted that there was nothing new in the indictment and contended that the charges might not have been filed if Hunter’s last name had been something other than Biden.
This legal saga began with an initial plea deal falling apart in a Delaware courtroom last July, leading to subsequent gun charges.
Hunter pleaded not guilty to the three felony gun charges in October, attempting to have them dismissed since. The tax charges were brought by special counsel David Weiss, a Trump-appointed US attorney in Delaware.
Hunter’s surprise appearance before the House Oversight committee in Washington further escalated the situation. Offering to testify in a public forum, he accused Republicans of using him as a surrogate to attack his father.
The White House, however, maintains that President Biden was never in business with his son. As legal proceedings unfold, the public awaits further developments in this high-profile case.
or a specific category with our 
Comments are closed.