Hunter Biden Pleads Guilty in Federal Tax Evasion Case, Surprising Prosecutors
Hunter Biden has entered a guilty plea to nine federal tax evasion charges, a move that took prosecutors by surprise as they were gearing up for trial. The 54-year-old son of U.S. President Joe Biden had previously denied accusations that he knowingly failed to pay $1.4 million in income tax between 2016 and 2019.
Originally, Biden sought to submit a plea while maintaining his innocence, but after facing opposition from prosecutors, he agreed to plead guilty outright. This significant development unfolded in a Los Angeles court on Thursday, just as the jury selection process was about to begin. Over 100 potential jurors had already gathered to determine who would sit on the panel.
Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, stated that his client wanted to avoid the trial to protect his family and friends from having to testify about a time when he was struggling with drug addiction. “He wanted to keep this private,” Lowell said.
Judge Mark Scarsi warned Biden that by pleading guilty, he could face up to 15 years in prison and fines ranging between $500,000 and $1 million. The sentencing is scheduled for December 16, just a month after the 2024 U.S. presidential election and before President Biden’s term concludes. The president has previously stated he would not use his executive powers to pardon his son.
During Thursday’s hearing, Hunter Biden, along with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, and his legal team, walked past a portrait of his father, which hangs in every federal courthouse. Federal prosecutors expressed frustration at Biden’s attempt to enter an Alford plea, which would allow him to plead guilty without admitting guilt. They were unwilling to allow him to “play by special rules.”
Lead prosecutor Leo Wise was firm in his opposition, declaring, “Hunter Biden is guilty. This court was prepared to proceed with a full trial.”
After the 56-page indictment was read aloud, Biden acknowledged in court that he had committed each crime he was charged with, marking a stark reversal from his earlier efforts to have the case dismissed. He had previously argued that the investigation was politically motivated, spurred by Republicans looking to impeach his father, claims that were dismissed by Judge Scarsi, a Trump appointee.
Hunter Biden’s indictment includes three felony tax charges and six misdemeanor charges. Prosecutors outlined a scheme where Biden earned $7 million between 2016 and 2019 but spent nearly $5 million on personal luxuries such as drugs, escorts, high-end hotels, and luxury goods, while falsely claiming these as business expenses.
Prosecutors maintained that Biden had more than enough funds to cover his taxes during this time but chose not to pay, engaging in what they called a “four-year scheme” to evade tax obligations. In addition to the tax charges, Biden was convicted earlier this year on gun-related charges for purchasing a firearm while battling drug addiction.
This plea marks the latest chapter in Hunter Biden’s legal troubles, which have drawn scrutiny from political opponents and added to the controversy surrounding his father’s presidency.
