Tuesday’s Department of Justice court filings revealed that President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, will plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors. He also struck a deal with federal prosecutors to resolve a felony gun charge.
If you are just reading in, here’s what you need to know:
The firearms investigation: Prosecutors had been examining a 2018 incident in which a firearm owned by Hunter Biden ended up tossed by his then-girlfriend into a dumpster in Wilmington, a person briefed on the matter said. Hunter Biden described in media interviews in 2021 that he was addicted to drugs, which raised the possibility he broke federal law when he bought the firearm, which prohibits firearms purchases by anyone who uses or is addicted to illegal drugs. CNN previously reported that federal prosecutors were weighing possible charges connected to making a false statement related to the gun purchase.
Missed IRS deadlines: Hunter Biden is pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willfully failing to pay federal taxes, according to the newly unsealed charging documents. He was repeatedly warned about his tax obligations, according to the emails, but his attorney told CNN in July 2022 that those years were difficult times for Hunter Biden, given struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. Clark has said that his client has now “fully paid” his IRS tax debts. Meanwhile, the Republican-controlled House has been scrutinizing Hunter Biden’s financial dealings and exploring the Justice Department’s handling of the investigation as well as any involvement by other Biden family members in overseas deals.
What’s in the plea agreement: The DOJ has agreed to recommend a sentence of probation for the two counts of failing to pay taxes in a timely matter for the years 2017 and 2018, according to sources. Hunter Biden owed at least $100,000 in federal taxes for 2017, and at least $100,000 in 2018, but did not pay what was due to the Internal Revenue Service by the deadlines. A judge will have the final say on any sentence.
The news sparks political criticism: The plea deal will have immediate reverberations in the 2024 presidential race. It has already jumpstarted political criticism from Republicans of the Biden administration. Former President Donald Trump also criticized the plea deal on Truth Social, calling it a “mere ‘traffic ticket.'”
Trump-appointed attorney led the probe: The charges against Hunter Biden were detailed in a criminal filing in US District Court in Delaware, where the US Attorney David Weiss, a Trump appointee, has been conducting the investigation that at one time explored allegations of money laundering, foreign lobbying and other potential charges. The investigation is ongoing, the Justice Department said Tuesday. But Hunter Biden’s attorney, Christopher Clark, said in a statement that the deal with federal prosecutors will “resolve” the Justice Department’s long-running criminal probe into the president’s son.
White House response: White House spokesperson Ian Sams said in a brief statement Tuesday that the Bidens “love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life.” When asked by CNN about the news later on Tuesday, Biden said he is “very proud” of his son. The president made the remarks in San Francisco, where he is speaking at a meeting on artificial intelligence convened by the White House.
Hunter Biden’s struggle with addiction: His legal issues come against the backdrop of his personal struggle with addiction to alcohol and drugs, many of which he addressed in his 2021 memoir. His 24-year marriage ended in a 2017 divorce and his ex-wife has accused him of spending extravagantly on liquor and strip clubs. In 2017, he also admitted an relationship with the widow of his late brother Beau. Hunter Biden remarried in 2019 and shares a child with his wife, Melissa Cohen.
CNN’s Sam Fossum and Priscilla Alvarez contributed reporting to this post.
