Biden's son reaches plea deal

Hunter Biden reached a settlement with the US Justice Department, agreeing to admit two charges that he intentionally failed to pay income taxes.

Hunter Biden has reached a plea agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice on two counts of willful failure to pay income taxes, according to court documents released today. The charges arose from a 2018 investigation by Delaware Attorney General David Weiss into President Joe Biden’s son’s taxes. Hunter reportedly paid more than $1 million in back taxes in 2020.

A plea agreement allows a court to convict without a trial in exchange for a lesser charge than the prosecution had sought. The agreement must be approved by the court. Hunter is expected to serve two years of probation, according to the Washington Post .

Hunter also entered into a pretrial diversion (PTD) agreement on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm while under the influence of drugs filed by the US Department of Justice in October 2018.

PTD allows defendants with certain charges to be transferred from the judicial system to the supervision and services system administered by the U.S. Probation Service. If certain conditions are met, the corresponding charges are dismissed. Otherwise, the case is returned to the judicial system for processing.

Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, at the White House on April 18, 2022. Photo: AFP — Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, at the White House on April 18, 2022. Photo: *AFP*

Legal experts say the charges are unlikely to land Hunter in jail.

"Through these two agreements, I understand that the five-year investigation with my client has been resolved," said Christopher Clark, Hunter's attorney. "Hunter understands that it is important to take responsibility for the mistakes he made during his time of turmoil and addiction."

"The President and First Lady love and support their son as he continues to rebuild his life. We will have no further comment," the White House said.

Hunter is President Biden’s only son after his eldest son Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015. Hunter founded consulting and investment firms, worked in private equity, and served on the boards of various organizations, including some in China and Ukraine.

Since 2019, former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies have attacked Hunter over his dealings with Ukraine and China. President Biden has said he has confidence in his son Hunter and called the allegations against him a “dirty trick.”

Nhu Tam (According to The Hill, NBC News )

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