Hunter Biden’s legal team is fighting to have tax charges against him dismissed, accusing the prosecution of being politically motivated. The case alleges that Biden avoided paying $1.4 million in taxes over a four-year period, while living lavishly. The defense claims the case is tainted by leaks from IRS agents and argues that some allegations predate Biden’s move to California. Prosecutors, however, argue that the defense’s claims are far-fetched and not based on hard evidence.
The tax case is one of two legal battles facing Hunter Biden, with the other involving charges related to lying on a federal form to buy a gun in 2018. Biden has pleaded not guilty to both sets of charges and is currently awaiting trial. The cases are overseen by special counsel David Weiss and are tentatively scheduled for trial in June. The defense is also seeking to have the gun charges in Delaware dismissed. The charges stem from a federal investigation that had initially been expected to result in a plea deal for Biden, but the deal fell apart after it was questioned by a federal judge.
The timing of Hunter Biden’s legal troubles is significant, as they coincide with the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. The Justice Department is actively prosecuting both Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, and former President Donald Trump. Trump is facing his own legal battles, including charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Congressional Republicans have been attempting to link Hunter Biden’s business dealings to his father, launching an impeachment inquiry into President Biden. However, no evidence has emerged to support their claims of corruption.
The impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden was based in part on claims made by an FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, who alleged that payments totaling $10 million from Ukrainian energy company Burisma were made to the Bidens. Smirnov has since been arrested on charges of fabricating the bribery allegations. If convicted of the tax charges, Hunter Biden could face a maximum of 17 years in prison. The legal drama surrounding the Biden family’s business dealings and the political implications of the cases have made them a significant focus as the presidential election approaches. The outcome of the legal battles could have far-reaching consequences for both the Biden family and the political landscape in the United States.
