President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, may face potential criminal charges for unpaid taxes during his time on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings nearly a decade ago.
Special counsel David Weiss, the lead prosecutor in Hunter Biden’s ongoing tax fraud case, allowed the statute of limitations to expire for not paying $124,000 in taxes on his approximately $1 million Burisma salary in 2014. Critics argue that this move was intended to protect the Bidens from a case that could expose evidence of potential influence peddling involving then-Vice President Joseph R. Biden.
Legal experts suggest that Mr. Weiss could revive the case since Hunter Biden has not paid the taxes. He could be charged with conspiracy to commit tax fraud, which could lead to uncovering evidence of Mr. Biden’s alleged involvement in helping Burisma evade a state corruption probe on behalf of his son.
House and Senate lawmakers are closely scrutinizing Mr. Weiss’s handling of the investigation into Hunter Biden’s alleged tax and gun violations. After a plea deal with Hunter Biden fell apart in court in July, Mr. Weiss indicted him on three felony gun charges related to his possession of a Colt Cobra revolver while addicted to drugs.
It remains unclear how or whether Mr. Weiss plans to charge Hunter Biden for hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes and other possible crimes, including potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
House Republicans focused on the unpaid Burisma taxes during a hearing with Attorney General Merrick Garland, questioning allegations of political interference in the Hunter Biden tax fraud probe by IRS whistleblowers.
Republicans accuse the Justice Department of blocking the 2014 tax charges against Hunter Biden to prevent further investigation that could potentially incriminate President Biden. Both Mr. Garland and Mr. Weiss deny any political interference, and President Biden has denied involvement in his son’s business dealings.
Hunter Biden had initially agreed to a plea deal concerning his failure to pay more than $100,000 in taxes in 2017 and 2018. However, after the deal fell through, Mr. Weiss obtained special counsel status, allowing him to pursue additional charges against the president’s son, including FARA violations.
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani suggests that Hunter Biden could face up to 14 months in prison if convicted of the gun offenses but doubts any additional charges related to the unpaid taxes will be brought against him.
The ongoing investigation into Hunter Biden started in 2018 when Mr. Weiss was the U.S. attorney for Delaware. Congressional investigators learned that Mr. Weiss was blocked from charging Hunter Biden on felony and misdemeanor tax offenses in California and Washington, D.C. by two Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys.
While there is uncertainty regarding felony charges related to unpaid taxes, the gun charges currently stand as the most significant punishment for President Biden’s son.
As U.S. Attorney General, David Weiss, continues the investigation into Hunter Biden’s alleged tax fraud and gun violations, there remains speculation about potential charges concerning unpaid taxes and other crimes. The case has sparked intense scrutiny and debate among lawmakers and legal experts.
