LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A day after Hunter Biden appeared at the Capitol before a committee on whether to charge him with contempt of Congress, President Joe Biden’s son acquitted himself of unrelated tax charges in Los Angeles federal court on Thursday. insisted.
Hunter Biden was charged in an indictment returned Dec. 7 with nine federal tax charges for allegedly refusing to pay taxes, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
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Mr. Biden, 53, of Malibu, “spent millions of dollars on a lavish lifestyle rather than paying taxes,” the indictment alleges.
The president’s son appeared in a federal courtroom in downtown Los Angeles for an arraignment hearing and status conference in the case.
“We’re here today because you’ve been charged with a criminal offense,” U.S. District Judge Mark Scalsi said as the defendant sat between two attorneys, looking relaxed in a dark suit. told.
Asked if he understood the nature of the charges, Hunter Biden responded, “Yes, sir.”
A court representative then called for his argument. The president’s son replied, “Not guilty.”
A judge ruled that conditions of Hunter Biden’s release were such that he was sentenced to prison in Delaware in October on three charges related to misconduct and lying on federal documents to obtain a Colt Cobra handgun in 2018. He suggested the terms were the same as those discussed when he pleaded not guilty in Wilmington. A drug user who owns a gun.
The president’s son is prohibited from owning firearms, drinking alcohol, and taking drugs. Under the terms of his release, Hunter Biden must submit to unannounced drug tests, attend substance abuse treatment, and find employment.
Scalci set a motion hearing for March 27, a pretrial hearing for June 3, and a trial date for June 20.
Outside the courthouse, a crowd of television cameras awaited Biden’s appearance. About 30 reporters watched the arraignment in the judge’s seventh-floor courtroom and a nearly empty overflow room. Very few citizens attended the public hearing.
Biden’s arraignment on Thursday came a day after the House Oversight Committee in Washington was scheduled to vote on the contempt issue, only to be sidetracked by Biden’s unexpected appearance.
The committee had recommended that Hunter Biden be held in contempt for failing to comply with a subpoena for a private deposition as part of the presidential impeachment inquiry. Hunter Biden is willing to testify in public, but said he would not testify behind closed doors.
In the end, he left Wednesday’s House hearing after about 10 minutes after Republican and Democratic committee members argued over whether to let him speak on a panel discussion. He left without doing so.
The impeachment inquiry stems from allegations that the president was involved in or profited from his son’s overseas business dealings.
Regarding the federal tax charges, the 56-page indictment states that between 2016 and Oct. 15, 2020, “the defendants used the money for drugs, escorts and girlfriends, luxury hotels and rental properties, exotic cars, and clothing. , and spent on other items.” Everything of a personal nature, in short, everything except his taxes. ”
Hunter Biden could face up to 17 years in prison if convicted on all charges. He faces three felonies, including tax evasion, and six misdemeanor counts of failure to pay taxes.
The president’s son also faces federal firearms charges in Delaware for violating a 2018 law that prohibits drug users from possessing guns. In July, he pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges there and agreed to plead guilty to firearms violations without conviction. He will not receive a prison sentence. However, the deal fell apart after a judge questioned the terms of the contract and refused to sign it.
His attorney, Abby Lowell, said in a statement when the tax charges were announced: “Based on the facts and law, if Hunter’s last name was anything other than Biden, he would be eligible for the state of Delaware (as previously announced); “This California firearms charge will apply.” I wouldn’t have been able to bring him. ”
“After five years of investigation with no new evidence, and two years since Hunter paid his taxes in full, the U.S. Attorney’s office decided to close this matter just a few months ago,” Lowell said. “Despite the agreement, they added nine new charges.” It’s a misdemeanor for two people. ”
Hunter Biden, described in the indictment as a Georgetown- and Yale-educated lawyer, lobbyist, consultant and businessman, was involved in a Ukrainian conglomerate and a Chinese private company during the time of the tax scandal. – Served as a director of an equity fund.
“He negotiated and entered into contracts and arrangements for business and legal services that paid him and/or his domestic companies, Owasco PC and Owasco LLC, millions of dollars in compensation,” according to the indictment. “Ta”.
In addition to his business interests, the defendant was also an employee of a multinational law firm, the documents state.
During his now-defunct plea deal in Delaware, Biden said he forgot to pay his taxes during a period of drug addiction.
Written by Fred Shuster, City News Service
