A plea deal between Hunter Biden and the Justice Department over tax charges hit a snag as a federal judge expressed reservations about accepting a revised agreement during a court hearing on Wednesday.
The landmark case is the first time the DOJ has charged the child of a current president.
Hunter Biden had allegedly failed to pay federal taxes totaling between $1.1 million and $1.5 million before legal deadlines. He was poised to plead guilty to two tax charges, with prosecutors agreeing to recommend probation as his sentence.
However, the original plea deal began to unravel, and a revised agreement was reached during the hearing.
The new deal limited the charges to tax offenses, drug use, and gun possession, without providing protection from potential future charges. Despite these adjustments, District Judge Maryellen Noreika expressed concerns and questioned whether the deal might be unconstitutional.
During the proceedings, prosecutors revealed that the investigation into the President’s second son remained in progress, adding further complexity to the case.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty, and the judge requested additional briefs from both sides to explain the plea deal’s legal structure.
The White House has distanced itself from the matter, referring all questions about the legal proceedings to Hunter Biden’s legal team, stating that the case is “a personal matter.”
As the plea deal remains on hold, the fate of Hunter Biden’s tax charges remains uncertain, and the court continues to scrutinize the intricacies of the agreement.
Hunter Biden’s Biggest Problem Now
Republicans have raised concerns that Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, received an unusually lenient plea deal, suspecting favoritism due to his familial ties.
Recent claims from IRS whistleblowers raised further questions about the probe. The whistleblowers alleged that the Justice Department gave preferential treatment to Hunter Biden, a claim that aligns with a GOP narrative of him receiving a “sweetheart deal.” However, it is common for first-time offenders to avoid incarceration in misdemeanor-only cases.
US Attorney for Delaware, David Weiss, who led the investigation, has attempted to quash claims of bias. Appointed by former President Donald Trump, Weiss continued his role under the Biden administration to complete the inquiry into Hunter.
This week Weiss has stressed his willingness to testify before Congress to address criticism surrounding the prove. Republicans, who are exploring multiple allegations against Hunter Biden, have focused on a contentious laptop allegedly abandoned by him at a Delaware computer repair shop. They argue that its contents provide evidence of bribery, corruption, and potentially link his father to illicit business dealings.
Many Democrats view these attacks on the DOJ as politically motivated, particularly as former President Trump faces multiple criminal indictments and potentially more charges in the near future. They suggest that the focus on Hunter Biden is an attempt to deflect attention from Trump’s legal issues.
From 19FortyFive
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