Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, is potentially heading for a trial on criminal charges following a breakdown in discussions with prosecutors regarding a potential plea agreement.
The development comes after David Weiss, recently promoted to the position of special counsel, assumed the responsibility of investigating the financial and business dealings of the 53-year-old. Merrick Garland, the U.S. Attorney General, has granted Mr. Weiss expanded authority. Previously serving as the U.S. attorney in Delaware, Weiss was already investigating Hunter Biden’s affairs and will now oversee the “ongoing investigation” involving the president’s son, as well as any related matters that may arise, according to the Justice Department.
In recent times, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to two tax-related charges in a Delaware court. A prior plea deal involving tax evasion and a gun charge had fallen through, as a judge rejected the proposed agreement. The charges accuse Hunter Biden of evading taxes amounting to $100,000 (£77,000) on earnings exceeding $1.5 million in 2017 and 2018.
David Weiss, initially appointed by former President Donald Trump, indicated that a trial might be the next step, given the collapse of the plea deal. A court filing revealed that despite further negotiations, the government and the defense were at an impasse, leading the government to believe that only a trial would resolve the case.
As these developments unfold, House Republicans have initiated their own inquiry into Hunter Biden’s business dealings, while Congressional GOP members have hinted at impeachment inquiries based on allegations that the president benefited from his son’s activities. The White House has dismissed these claims as unfounded conspiracy theories, asserting that President Biden was not involved in his son’s business matters.
Hunter Biden’s attorney, Chris Clark, responded to the appointment of the special counsel by emphasizing the expectation of a fair resolution for his client. Clark stated that the US Attorney had been investigating his client for five years and had proposed a resolution that they intend to pursue in court. He expressed confidence that, once the legal processes conclude, Hunter Biden will move forward successfully.
