Hunter Biden made headlines on Thursday by pleading guilty to all nine federal tax charges brought against him by special counsel David Weiss. His attorney revealed this unexpected decision in court, leaving federal prosecutors stunned. Until sentencing on December 16, the president’s son remains free on bond.
Sudden Change in Plea Shocks Prosecutors
Initially, Hunter Biden had pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, his attorney Abbe Lowell informed the court that Biden had a change of heart and intended to plead guilty.
“This is the first we are hearing about this,” said federal prosecutor Leo Wise, illustrating the unexpected nature of the development.
A court sketch from Los Angeles federal court on Thursday shows Hunter Biden as he appeared during this pivotal moment. The courtroom drama deepened when a source familiar with the special counsel’s team indicated to Fox News Digital that the plea was not yet finalized. It was merely an offer from the defense, still under consideration. The judge then had Hunter Biden agree under oath to give up his right to remain silent, explaining that pleading guilty would mean forfeiting his right to a trial. Judge Mark Scarsi noted,
“the court doesn’t need the government’s agreement to accept an Alford plea.”
Alford Plea: A Rare Legal Path
This situation unfolded as Hunter Biden’s legal team was gearing up to argue that he was too impaired by substance use to pay his taxes. The Justice Department’s manual states that prosecutors rarely accept an Alford plea, “except in the most unusual of circumstances…” An Alford plea allows a defendant to accept a sentence without admitting guilt, acknowledging that the prosecutor’s evidence would likely lead to a conviction.
Sources close to Weiss’ team revealed that communication between Hunter Biden’s attorneys and the special counsel team had stalled. The special counsel’s team was still working internally to decide the next steps. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice was evaluating its potential involvement and timing.
Nine Federal Charges and a Lengthy Trial
Hunter Biden’s tax trial began on Thursday in Los Angeles with jury selection. Weiss charged Biden with three felonies and six misdemeanors, related to $1.4 million in taxes that have since been paid. According to the indictment, Biden “engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019, from in or about January 2017 through in or about October 15, 2020, and to evade the assessment of taxes for tax year 2018 when he filed false returns in or about February 2020.”
Weiss further alleged that Hunter Biden “subverted the payroll and tax withholding process of his own company, Owasco, PC by withdrawing millions” outside the system that should have been used for payroll and tax withholding.
These allegations point to a pattern of avoiding tax responsibilities while maintaining an extravagant lifestyle.
Second Trial and More Charges
This trial is the second Hunter Biden has faced this year as a result of Weiss’ investigation. In a previous case in Delaware, Biden was convicted on charges including making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm and possessing a firearm while unlawfully using controlled substances. Sentencing for these charges has yet to be scheduled, but the combined maximum penalty could reach up to 25 years in prison, along with hefty fines and supervised release.
White House Stands Firm on Pardon Decision
Despite mounting legal troubles for his son, President Biden has consistently stated that he will not consider a pardon for Hunter Biden. When pressed by reporters on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated, “It’s no, it’s still no,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Thursday when they questioned whether the plea had impacted Biden’s decision on whether he would consider a pardon for his son. “I’m not able to comment on it, but I can say that it is still very much a ‘no’ to the questions I have gotten about if the president is going to pardon [Hunter].”
The unfolding legal saga of Hunter Biden continues to captivate the nation, with many watching to see how these developments will impact the president’s family and the wider political landscape.
