On Thursday in Los Angeles, Hunter Biden formally entered a plea of not guilty to federal charges related to his alleged failure to pay income taxes. This development is part of a series of legal challenges that have drawn attention, particularly from the Republican party, aiming criticism at his father, President Joe Biden.
This plea of not guilty comes after an unsuccessful attempt in July to negotiate a resolution with prosecutors concerning charges related to taxes and possession of a firearm.
In a separate legal matter, Hunter Biden faces charges in Delaware for allegedly providing false information about his drug addiction during the purchase of a gun. In October, he pleaded not guilty to three federal charges related to weapons possession.
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US District Judge Maryellen Noreika ultimately rejected the plea agreement, but congressional Republicans have criticized the Justice Department’s investigation and the negotiated plea agreement by special counsel David Weiss, calling it a “sweetheart deal.”
The plea deal should be maintained, according to Biden’s attorney Abbe Lowell, who claims that political pressures shaped the charges against Hunter Biden.
Perhaps the proposed plea agreement would have prevented him from going to jail.
The court proceeding occurred a day after Hunter Biden unexpectedly appeared at a House committee vote where he faced a citation for contempt due to defying a subpoena.
This surprise participation, criticized by Republicans as a political maneuver, is part of a robust defense strategy wherein Biden challenges the criminal charges against him and initiates legal actions against his critics.
Hunter Biden Faces Felony Tax and Misdemeanor Charges
Hunter Biden faces charges of three felony tax offenses and six misdemeanors for a scheme involving the non-payment of at least $1.4 million in self-assessed taxes from 2016 to 2019.
Additionally, he is accused of submitting false returns to evade tax assessment for 2018.
If convicted on all counts, Hunter Biden could potentially be sentenced to a maximum of 17 years in prison, although such lengthy sentences are rare.
The indictment states that, between 2016 and October 15, 2020, Hunter Biden allegedly used the unremitted funds for personal expenditures, including drugs, escorts, luxury hotels, rental properties, exotic cars, clothing, and other non-tax-related items.
The proposed plea agreement related to the tax charges would have permitted Hunter Biden to plead guilty to two misdemeanors for unpaid taxes in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, he could have entered a pretrial program for the gun charge, with potential dismissal contingent on compliance with program requirements.