Former federal prosecutor Francey Hakes suggests that Hunter Biden may have avoided paying his taxes due to his belief that his father, President Joe Biden, will protect him. Legal experts have cautioned that Hunter Biden could potentially face significant jail time if he is convicted on the felony tax charges recently filed against him. The charges were brought by special counsel David Weiss in California and highlight a four-year effort by Biden to knowingly evade taxes and fund an extravagant lifestyle.
George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley stated that it would be difficult for prosecutors to make a case against Biden without seeking jail time for his criminal conduct. Turley emphasized that the evasion of taxes dating back to 2016 makes it unlikely for the court to dismiss this as a first-time offense. He further noted that there is a genuine possibility of jail time if Biden is found guilty on the three felony charges.
Former deputy independent counsel Sol Wisenberg mentioned that typical citizens convicted of similar charges would likely receive sentences ranging from one to three years, although federal judges often grant downward variances in tax cases. The severity of the sentence also depends on whether the accused pleads guilty or takes the government to trial.
Hunter Biden is currently facing nine charges related to a four-year scheme where he allegedly failed to pay federal income taxes from January 2017 to October 2020. He is also accused of filing false tax reports. The charges consist of three felonies and six misdemeanors for a total of $1.4 million in owed taxes, which have since been paid.
Special counsel David Weiss detailed how Biden engaged in a scheme to evade taxes and subvert the payroll and tax withholding process of his company, Owasco, PC. The indictment specifically highlights his failure to pay taxes for the years 2016 to 2019 and his failure to file taxes for 2017 and 2018. The indictment also accuses Biden of filing false and fraudulent tax forms in 2018.
The ongoing legal troubles facing Hunter Biden coincide with President Joe Biden’s bid for re-election to a second term. As the younger Biden faces expanding legal challenges, the experts’ comments shed light on the potential consequences he may face if convicted. The indictment alleges that Biden withdrew millions of dollars from his company outside of the payroll and tax withholding process, contributing to the charges brought against him.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre affirmed that President Biden would not pardon his son if he is convicted. Jean-Pierre stated the president’s continued support for his son’s efforts to rebuild his life but emphasized that the Department of Justice should handle the matter independently.
Digital’s Stepheny Price contributed to this report. Houston Keene is a politics writer for Digital. For story tips and updates on the 2024 campaign trail, you can reach Houston Keene at [email protected] or on Twitter: @HoustonKeene.
