Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, will be pleading guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges while avoiding prosecution for a separate gun charge, as stated in a court filing Tuesday.
After months of negotiations, Hunter Biden and the Justice Department have reached an agreement. As per the terms of the deal, Hunter Biden will acknowledge his failure to pay taxes on time for the years 2017 and 2018 and will accept probation.
Some Republicans have called for Hunter Biden to stand trial for potential criminal activities related to international business transactions, particularly in China and Ukraine, as well as allegations of drug use and illegal gun possession.
According to the court filing, Hunter Biden’s legal team and federal prosecutors have come to an understanding wherein the Justice Department will charge him for purchasing a handgun in 2018 while under the influence of drugs. However, they have agreed not to pursue prosecution on this charge if Hunter Biden remains drug-free for 24 months and never possesses a firearm again.
It is important to note that the agreement is pending approval by a federal judge. Hunter Biden is expected to appear in federal court in Delaware in the upcoming days to face arraignment on misdemeanor tax charges and enter a guilty plea.
In a statement quoted by The New York Times, Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Christopher Clark, said, “With the announcement of two agreements between my client, Hunter Biden, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware, it is my understanding that the five-year investigation into Hunter is resolved.”
Clark added, “Hunter will take responsibility for two instances of misdemeanor failure to file tax payments on time, as per the plea agreement. The government will also file a firearm charge, which will be subject to a pretrial diversion agreement and will not be included in the plea agreement. Hunter recognizes the importance of taking responsibility for these mistakes he made during a challenging period of addiction and turmoil in his life. He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward.”
Here are five key takeaways from Hunter Biden’s agreement with the DOJ:
- Plea Agreement: Hunter Biden is set to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges as part of a plea agreement with the Justice Department. This agreement comes after months of negotiations.
- Tax Charges: Hunter Biden will admit to failing to pay his taxes on time for the years 2017 and 2018. The specific details of the charges are not mentioned.
- Avoiding Prosecution: Hunter Biden will avoid prosecution for a separate gun charge. The court filing states that he purchased a handgun in 2018 while under the influence of drugs. However, the agreement stipulates that he will not be prosecuted for this charge if he remains drug-free for 24 months and does not possess a firearm again.
- Pending Approval: The agreement reached between Hunter Biden’s legal team and federal prosecutors is subject to approval by a federal judge. Hunter Biden is expected to appear in federal court in Delaware for arraignment on misdemeanor tax charges and to enter a guilty plea.
- Resolution of Investigation: Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Christopher Clark, stated that the announced agreements between his client and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware resolve the five-year investigation into Hunter Biden. This suggests that the legal matters discussed in the agreements are related to the investigation.