Hunter Biden’s legal case took an unexpected twist as his lawyers revealed that federal prosecutors had backed out of a prearranged deal that would have seen him pleading guilty to tax-related offenses.
The deal, which included a recommended no-jail sentence, was revoked by prosecutors on Friday. This comes amidst the ongoing criminal investigation into Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden.
In a new filing with the Delaware federal court, Hunter Biden’s legal team highlighted the abrupt withdrawal of the tax plea deal. However, they also emphasized that a separate agreement related to a gun-related crime remains intact. The gun agreement allows Hunter Biden to avoid conviction for the crime.
District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika, who oversees the case, directed U.S. Attorney for Delaware David Weiss to respond to the filing by Tuesday noon Eastern Time.
Tax case
The saga of Hunter Biden’s legal troubles has taken various turns. His expected guilty plea on July 26 for failure to pay federal income taxes was derailed due to concerns raised by Noreika regarding the terms of the agreements presented. The tax-related charges pertained to his failure to pay taxes on income exceeding $1.5 million in 2017 and 2018.
The sudden withdrawal of the tax plea deal coincided with Weiss’ appointment as special counsel by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. This appointment followed the failure of plea talks between Hunter Biden’s legal representatives and Weiss’ prosecution team.
The tax-related plea deal is not the only aspect of the case that faced complications. Prosecutors had also offered Hunter Biden a diversion agreement to drop charges related to possessing a firearm while being a drug user, subject to certain conditions. These conditions were met with skepticism by Noreika during the July 26 hearing.
Notably, a significant sticking point for Noreika was the requirement for her to decide whether Hunter Biden violated the terms of the gun agreement, rather than the U.S. Department of Justice. This provision aimed to depoliticize the situation and prevent any influence from the potential 2024 presidential election.
As the legal proceedings continue, Hunter Biden’s legal team has expressed confidence in reaching a resolution in due course. The case remains a subject of keen interest due to its implications and connections to the highest levels of U.S. political power.
