Hunter Biden is expected to plead guilty to two federal offenses at a rescheduled July 26 hearing in Delaware. NBC News reported.
The charges arising from years of investigations into President Joe Biden’s son include two counts of “willful failure to pay” a lump sum of around $200,000 in federal income taxes.
A third gun possession charge against the younger Biden is unlikely to be prosecuted because of a pre-trial distraction agreement that requires him to remain drug-free for 24 months and bar him from ever owning a gun again.
“Hunter Biden received more than $1,500,000 per year in taxable income for calendar years 2017 and 2018. Although he owed more than $100,000 in federal income taxes each year, he never paid the income taxes due in either year,” U.S. Attorney David Weiss’s office, who is prosecuting the case, said in a press release on Tuesday. Weiss is a representative of former President Donald Trump.
The weapon charging alleges that “Hunter Biden possessed a firearm from or about October 12, 2018 to October 23, 2018 despite knowing he was an illegal user of and dependent on a controlled substance.” The President’s son addressed his drug problems in his memoirs.
Investigations into Hunter Biden’s business dealings have been ongoing since 2018, although an investigation into possible tax crimes has reportedly been launched started under the Obama administration. The Republicans are trying to take advantage of the investigation to tarnish President Biden’s reputation ahead of the 2024 election and distract from Trump’s own legal troubles.
The investigations will most likely not result in a prison sentence, they say The New York Times.
Hunter Biden’s attorney, Chris Clark, previously said in a statement that “It is my understanding that the five-year investigation into Hunter has ended.”
“I know Hunter believes it’s important to take responsibility for these mistakes that he made during a time of turmoil and addiction in his life,” he added. “He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward.”
Clark didn’t immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment. Weiss’ office declined to comment to HuffPost.