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IRS Strikes Back: Moves to Dismiss Bulk of Hunter Biden’s Lawsuit on Tax Disclosure Claims

By Alejandro Villamor Share with new partner:   Share
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The IRS is pushing for the dismissal of portions of a lawsuit filed by Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, alleging that IRS agents unlawfully disclosed his private tax information. 

In a court filing on Tuesday, the IRS argued for the dismissal of the lawsuit, stating that claims made by agents’ lawyers, who are not US government employees, should not be included. 

The agency also contended that Hunter Biden seeks damages not covered by privacy law.

Hunter Biden filed the lawsuit in September 2023, asserting two claims. 

Firstly, he alleged that two IRS whistleblowers, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, along with their attorneys, improperly disclosed his confidential information. Secondly, he claimed that the IRS intentionally failed to install safeguards to protect his information.

The IRS specifically asked the judge to drop a portion of one accusation and the entirety of the other. Hunter Biden’s defense team accused Shapley and Ziegler, who are veteran IRS criminal investigators, of violating Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code by engaging in a campaign to publicly smear him. 

Shapley and Ziegler had raised concerns about preferential treatment given to the Biden family during the Hunter Biden investigation.

Hunter Biden’s Allegations vs. IRS Stand

irs-strikes-back-moves-to-dismiss-bulk-of-hunter-biden's-lawsuit-on-tax-disclosure-claims
The IRS is pushing for the dismissal of portions of a lawsuit filed by Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, alleging that IRS agents unlawfully disclosed his private tax information.

While the IRS emphasized that Hunter Biden publicly revealed he was under federal investigation before Shapley and Ziegler approached Congress, it did not address the first son’s claims against the whistleblowers. 

The IRS lawsuit is one of several filed by Hunter Biden last year as part of his more assertive strategy in countering negative headlines and allegations against him.

Hunter Biden, charged last month with failing to pay over $1 million in taxes, pleaded not guilty and awaits trial. 

The IRS lawsuit has been criticized by Empower Oversight, a group providing legal representation for whistleblowers, which labeled it a frivolous smear. Mark Lytle and Tristan Leavitt, attorneys referenced in the lawsuit, are associated with Empower Oversight. 

The legal battle unfolds against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny surrounding Hunter Biden’s financial and personal affairs.

Alejandro Villamor
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