Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, is back in federal court, facing nine tax-related charges, including felony counts of tax evasion and filing false returns. Prosecutors allege that between 2016 and 2019, Biden failed to pay over $1.4 million in taxes on the more than $7 million he earned during that period. The trial, taking place in Los Angeles, stems from a years-long investigation led by Special Counsel David Weiss, who also prosecuted Biden on gun charges earlier this year.
The charges against Hunter Biden paint a picture of lavish spending during a time when he was battling addiction to crack cocaine. Prosecutors accuse him of living an "extravagant lifestyle," spending millions on personal indulgences such as drugs, escorts, luxury hotels, and exotic cars—all while evading taxes. Among the questionable deductions listed by the prosecution were payments of $11,500 for an escort and nearly $4,000 for renting a Lamborghini. Biden's defense team argues that his addiction and the trauma of losing his brother Beau in 2015 impaired his ability to manage his finances.
Andrew Cherkasky-if you thought the first Hunter Biden trial was salacious this next one’s going to knock your socks off pic.twitter.com/r9crxyegpi
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) September 5, 2024
This is Biden’s second federal trial of the year, following his June conviction in Delaware on felony gun charges. He had been found guilty of lying about his drug use when purchasing a firearm in 2018. His sentencing in that case is set for November 2024. The tax evasion trial, however, brings further scrutiny on the Biden family, particularly as Hunter's legal woes have been used as political ammunition against President Biden, especially during his now-abandoned re-election campaign.
Originally, Hunter Biden had reached a plea agreement with prosecutors to avoid trial by admitting to lesser tax offenses while entering a diversion program for the gun charges. However, the deal fell apart in front of a federal judge in July 2023, leading to the full-scale trials now underway. In this tax case, his defense team sought to introduce evidence that he eventually paid off his tax debts in 2020, but the judge ruled this inadmissible, arguing that delayed payment does not negate prior evasion.
Breaking: Hunter Biden CA tax trial begins this morning with jury selection in L.A.
– 3 felony counts of tax evasion
– 6 misdemeanors failing to pay taxes
– Plea: not guiltyThis is Hunter's second criminal trial this year. The first was the DE gun felony trial. pic.twitter.com/PjcIDfE51r
— Red Alert Florida (@RedAlertFlorida) September 5, 2024
The stakes are high for both Biden and his legal team, with defense lawyers seeking to mitigate the damage by pointing to Biden’s troubled history of addiction. However, prosecutors argue that addiction did not prevent him from earning millions of dollars, and therefore, it should not be used as an excuse for failing to meet his tax obligations.
The government contends that Biden intentionally avoided taxes while misrepresenting personal expenses as business deductions.
The trial is expected to last several weeks, and it may revive further public interest in the darker aspects of Hunter Biden's personal life, which were laid bare during his earlier gun trial. His personal struggles, including drug addiction and controversial business dealings with Ukrainian and Chinese firms, have been under the spotlight, fueling political debates.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges, President Biden has stated previously that he would not pardon his son. However, now that the elder Biden has withdrawn from the 2024 presidential race, speculation has arisen about whether that stance might change. For now, Hunter Biden faces a critical legal battle that could have lasting implications for both his future and the Biden family's political legacy.
