Hunter Biden plea: Timeline of the investigation into the president’s son
Jack Birle
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The Justice Department says Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, intends to plead guilty to two charges related to failure to pay federal income tax after years of investigation.
The investigation, which the U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware said is still unfolding, began six years ago with attorneys only now pressing charges against Hunter Biden. Here is a look at some key moments of the investigation.
BIDEN FACES PROSPECT OF UPS STRIKE WHILE CONSOLIDATING UNION SUPPORT
2018
The DOJ began its investigation into Hunter Biden originally by examining his tax records, later expanding the investigation to include a gun possession charge. The investigation is led by U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who was appointed by then-President Donald Trump in November 2017.
Dec. 9, 2020
The younger Biden announced that he was under investigation by the DOJ for his “tax affairs,” marking the first time the investigation was acknowledged publicly.
“I learned yesterday for the first time that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware advised my legal counsel, also yesterday, that they are investigating my tax affairs,” Hunter Biden said in a statement.
“I take this matter very seriously, but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisers,” he continued.
The revelation came a month after his father, Joe Biden, defeated Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
February 2021
The DOJ, under President Joe Biden, asked dozens of U.S. attorneys appointed by Trump to resign from their posts. One notable exemption was Weiss, who was not asked to resign and was allowed to continue his investigation into Hunter Biden.
April 6, 2021
Hunter Biden released his memoir, Beautiful Things, which includes a detailed account of the younger Biden’s life story, including his extensive drug addiction.
Biden’s accounts of drug use contradict a 2018 firearms transaction record obtained by Politico, which showed the president’s son answered “no” to a question asking if he used illegal drugs. Lying on the firearms form is a felony.
January 2023
A New York Times report suggests that charges against Hunter Biden for his 2016 and 2017 tax returns are imminent. The report comes as little is publicly revealed about the DOJ investigation into Hunter Biden.
The same month the report alleges charges may be imminent, the House of Representatives, under the control of Republicans, opens investigations into business dealings by Biden’s family, including Hunter Biden.
June 20, 2023
The DOJ announced in a court filing that the younger Biden intends to plead guilty to two charges related to failure to pay federal income tax while also saying he would be charged with a gun possession charge.
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The pretrial diversion agreement for the one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of an addicted or controlled substance will likely allow Biden to avoid prosecution.
Biden’s attorney, Chris Clark, issued a statement claiming that “it is my understanding that the five-year investigation into Hunter is resolved.” Weiss had said in a statement on Tuesday that the “investigation is ongoing.”