Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has pleaded guilty to nine tax-related charges and is set to be sentenced on December 16. The plea came after extensive legal discussions on Thursday, avoiding what could have been a prolonged and damaging trial for him.
U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi accepted Hunter Biden’s guilty plea for all charges stemming from an indictment issued last December. The maximum potential penalty he faces is 17 years in prison and fines up to $1.35 million.
During the court proceedings, Judge Scarsi inquired if Hunter Biden acknowledged committing each crime as charged in the indictment, to which he replied affirmatively. This unexpected guilty plea adds another layer to a legal saga filled with surprises, raising speculation about a possible presidential pardon, even though President Biden previously stated he would not grant clemency to his son.
Prosecutors accused Hunter Biden of engaging in a four-year scheme to evade $1.4 million in taxes, during which he allegedly spent large sums on luxury items such as exotic cars, clothing, drugs, and high-end hotels.
The plea marks a notable shift from Hunter Biden’s earlier not-guilty plea to a nine-count indictment that included multiple misdemeanor and felony charges related to tax evasion and filing false returns. His legal team initially sought an “Alford plea,” which would allow a guilty plea without admitting to criminal conduct. However, after some pushback from prosecutors and the judge, they opted for a standard guilty plea.
By pleading guilty, Hunter Biden sidesteps a likely drawn-out trial where prosecutors intended to delve into his struggles with addiction and international business dealings, involving testimony from numerous witnesses.
Dressed formally in court, Hunter Biden expressed his understanding of the potential repercussions of his plea, glancing towards the audience where his wife was present. Following the reading of the extensive indictment by Prosecutor Leo Wise, Hunter Biden formally entered his guilty plea.
Outside the courthouse, Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, indicated that the decision to plead guilty was made in consideration of protecting his family from public scrutiny and emotional distress. He characterized the case against Hunter Biden as politically motivated and expressed gratitude for Hunter’s approach to prioritizing family.
Despite acknowledging paying back taxes with assistance from a confidant, Judge Scarsi did not allow this information to be presented in court, citing its irrelevance to Hunter Biden’s mindset during the commission of the alleged crimes.
In a statement after the hearing, Hunter Biden reflected on the toll his legal battles have taken on his family and expressed a desire to shield them from further humiliation. He noted his sobriety for over five years, attributing his recovery to the support of his family.
Previously, Hunter Biden had tried to negotiate a plea deal concerning similar charges related to tax payments and a firearms purchase, which ultimately fell through during a contentious court hearing. Following this, he faced additional charges linked to firearm procurement while allegedly struggling with addiction.
Hunter Biden is also awaiting sentencing related to three felony charges connected to his firearm purchase, with that hearing scheduled for November 13.