Hunter Biden admitted to the crimes without any leniency deal or pressure. (Image/ NPR)
Los Angeles, (EPICSTORIAN)— Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, has pleaded guilty to federal tax charges, following months in the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding the president’s family.
Hunter Biden now awaits formal sentencing on December 16, which will determine the final penalties he faces.
Legal experts, including a few reporter at CNN, suggest that given the nature of the charges and the plea deal in place, it is unlikely Biden will serve time in prison, though fines and probation are expected.
Hunter Biden was previously charged with falsifying tax returns
The federal tax charges to which Biden pleaded guilty, as was entered in federal court, involved four misdemeanor counts related to falsifying tax returns, two misdemeanor counts of failing to file tax returns, and one count of tax invasion.
The guilty plea, according to reports, came on the same day his trial was set to begin with jury selection in Los Angeles, with nearly 120 jurors waiting in an isolated assembly room before the trial.
Hunter Biden admitted to the crimes without any leniency deal or pressure
Prosecutors were surprised at how a high-profile defendant would plead guilty to crimes without a leniency deal hours after Biden offered an “Alford plea”.
“We were as shocked as everyone else in the courtroom this morning,” said prosecutor Leo Wise.
However, Biden’s team changed plan and instead requested that he should enter an “open plea”, confirming that his “conduct satisfied the elements” of the tax charges leveled against him.
Hunter Biden answered all standard questions thrown at him by Scarsi after she had read the full 56-page indictment during the plea proceeding.
“Do you agree that you committed every element of every crime?” Scarsi asked him after the 90 minutes reading
“Yes,” Biden responded, testifying that he was not under any duress or pressure to plead guilty.
If there should be considered a plea agreement, Biden is expected to fulfill certain conditions, including paying restitution for the taxes owed.
The plea, however , may resolve separate allegations over his conviction in June related to three federal gun charges in Wilmington, Delaware, where Biden was accused of illegally possessing a firearm, alcoholism and illegal drug abuse.
His plea to the alleged federal charges includes admitting to owing substantial amounts in back taxes for the years 2017 and 2018, during which he earned over $1.5 million.
In the recent hearings, Prosecutors stated that despite earning large sums, he failed to pay taxes on time, leaving an outstanding tax bill exceeding $100,000 in each.
Though the charges represent misdemeanors, the case has drawn national attention due to Biden’s familial connection to the president and the broader political context
The president’s son has faced a long history of controversies that have been amplified during his father’s political career, with critics frequently using his ‘legal battles to attack the Biden administration’.
Despite this, the White House has largely refrained from commenting on the case, with President Biden constantly noting the “independence of the Justice Department”.
The News Summary:
- Hunter Biden pleads guilty to tax charges, awaits December sentencing decision.
- Biden’s guilty plea surprises prosecutors, no leniency deal requested or offered.
- Hunter Biden admits to tax crimes, sentencing
