In a surprising turn of events, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty Thursday to nine federal tax charges, just as his trial was set to begin after weeks of anticipation. The plea caught many off guard, including the prosecution, as the trial was expected to span several weeks.
Presiding over the case was District Judge Mark Scarsi, who formally accepted the guilty plea during a tense, day-long hearing in Los Angeles. Jury selection had already started when Biden’s decision altered the course of the proceedings. Scarsi, a Trump appointee, set Hunter Biden’s sentencing for December 16. The president’s son faces up to 17 years in prison for tax evasion, fraudulent tax filings, and failure to pay federal taxes. A hefty fine, potentially reaching $1.3 million, could also be imposed.
Amid speculation surrounding Biden’s legal troubles, the question of a presidential pardon loomed large. Despite this, President Joe Biden has consistently denied any intention to pardon his son, a sentiment reiterated by a White House spokesperson on Thursday.
Hunter Biden’s plea came without a pre-negotiated deal, referred to as an “open plea,” meaning there was no promise of leniency from the prosecutors. Leo Wise, the lead prosecutor, expressed shock over Biden’s sudden change of plea, stating, “We were as surprised as everyone in the courtroom this morning.” This shift comes after months of intense legal scrutiny.
Following the hearing, Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, addressed the media, stating that his client’s decision was driven by a desire to shield his family from further public exposure. “Today, Hunter put his family first. He made a difficult choice to avoid subjecting them to another public trial focusing on his struggles and their private pain,” said Lowell.
Special Counsel David Weiss, a Trump appointee and the lead prosecutor in both Biden’s tax and gun cases, saw Thursday’s plea as a significant win. However, while Hunter Biden’s conviction on tax charges marked a milestone, it also meant that the prosecution would not get the high-profile trial they had been preparing for since 2018.
Earlier in the day, Biden’s legal team had floated the possibility of entering an “Alford plea,” a rare legal maneuver where a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that sufficient evidence exists for a conviction. However, prosecutors strongly opposed the move, forcing Biden’s lawyers to revert to an open guilty plea instead.
Throughout the hearing, Wise made it clear that the government would not allow any special treatment for Hunter Biden. “Hunter Biden is guilty. He cannot plead on special terms,” Wise asserted. The day’s proceedings culminated in Biden admitting to all charges under oath, confirming, “Yes, I committed every element of every crime.”
The indictment against Hunter Biden, read aloud in court, painted a picture of extravagant spending on luxury items and personal indulgences while failing to meet his tax obligations. His wife, Melissa Cohen, left the courtroom as prosecutors delved into salacious details, missing the most embarrassing revelations.
Biden’s guilty plea represents his second conviction this year. Earlier, he was found guilty of three gun charges in Wilmington, Delaware, for which sentencing is set for November. If convicted on both fronts, Biden could potentially face up to 42 years in prison.
The tax indictment alleges that Biden evaded paying $1.4 million in taxes by falsely claiming business deductions. While he eventually paid $2 million in back taxes and penalties after becoming sober, the court prohibited his defense from using this late payment as a mitigating factor during trial.
The hearing was attended by Biden’s former business associate, Tony Bobulinski, a vocal critic of the Biden family. Bobulinski has testified in the ongoing House Republicans’ impeachment inquiry, which delves into some of the same foreign business dealings scrutinized in the tax case. However, accusations that President Biden was involved in his son’s business affairs have not been substantiated.
Leo Wise closed the hearing by referencing the convoluted legal journey that has surrounded Hunter Biden’s cases. “I’ve been through one of these plea hearings before,” he joked, referring to the unraveling of a previous plea deal last summer in Delaware.
As Hunter Biden faces the reality of a lengthy prison sentence, his decision to plead guilty may be seen as an attempt to close a painful chapter. However, questions about his past dealings, as well as the political implications for the Biden family, are far from over.