The Department of Justice has filed fresh criminal charges against Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden. The charges allege that Hunter Biden failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes while maintaining a high-cost lifestyle.
Hunter Biden, aged 53, faces three felony and six misdemeanour tax offences per the indictment in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California.
The indictment accuses him of a four-year scheme to evade paying at least $1.4 million in federal taxes from 2016 to 2019. Instead, he is said to have spent substantial amounts on drugs, escorts, luxury hotels, and other personal expenses. The indictment also notes that he spent over $70,000 on drug rehabilitation.
If convicted, Hunter Biden could face up to 17 years in prison. The Justice Department stated that their investigation into Biden is ongoing.
Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, asserted that his client had fully repaid his taxes. Lowell criticized U.S. Special Counsel David Weiss, who is leading the investigation, for allegedly reneging on a prior agreement.
The White House has declined to comment on the situation. The indictment also highlights Hunter Biden’s lucrative positions on the boards of Burisma, a Ukrainian company, and a Chinese private equity fund, from which he earned significant income. This has been a point of contention for Republican lawmakers.
The legal proceedings against Hunter Biden continue, with no clear court appearance date set. This case marks the first criminal prosecution of a sitting U.S. president’s child, with Hunter Biden having previously pleaded not guilty to charges in Delaware related to his drug use while purchasing a handgun.
