Hunter Biden’s tax trial will kick off in Los Angeles next month as the prosecution and defense continue to iron out details.
Prosecutors claim the president’s son, 54, failed to pay $1.4 million in federal taxes from 2016 to 2019. He faces three felony tax offenses and six misdemeanor tax offenses.
Jury selection will take place on September 5 with a trial start date set for September 9. Court will not be held on September 13 and 16, the US Attorneys District of Delaware told Newsweek.
Foreign Business Deals
Hunter Biden’s lawyers say prosecutors are inappropriately trying to insert “politically-charged” allegations about his foreign business dealings into the upcoming federal tax trial against him.
Special counsel David Weiss’ team told the judge last week that they plan to call to the witness stand a business associate of Hunter Biden’s to testify about an arrangement with a Romanian businessman who was trying to “influence U.S. government policy” during Joe Biden‘s term as vice president.
Hunter Biden’s lawyers responded in court papers filed Sunday that such matters are irrelevant in his tax case. They also claim allowing such testimony would confuse jurors, and slammed prosecutors for showcasing “these matters on the eve of Mr. Biden’s trial—when there is no mention of political influence in the 56-page Indictment.”
Hallie Biden Will Testify With Immunity
Hallie Biden, the widow of Beau Biden and Hunter’s former girlfriend, will testify in his California tax trial with immunity, a US District Judge Mark Scarsi decided earlier this month.
“It is ordered … Hallie Biden give testimony or provide other information which she refuses to give or to provide on the basis of her privilege against self-incrimination as to all matters about which he may be interrogated in the course of these proceedings,” Scarsi wrote in court documents.
Hallie also testified against Hunter under the same immunity in his June gun trial.
Hunter Biden’s History of Legal Troubles
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles began with a federal investigation into his tax affairs and business dealings, particularly involving his work with foreign entities, including a Ukrainian gas company and a Romanian businessman. In 2023, he was charged with tax evasion and illegal firearm possession.
Biden reached a plea deal in June 2023 to avoid jail time by pleading guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and entering a diversion program for the firearm charge. However, the deal fell apart in court in July 2023 after disagreements over the scope of immunity from future charges, leading to a renewed legal battle. A special counsel was appointed to oversee the case, adding further complications.
In September 2023, Biden filed a lawsuit against the IRS, claiming that agents unlawfully disclosed his confidential tax information. He argues that these disclosures were politically motivated and intended to embarrass him. The IRS has not commented on the lawsuit.
Biden was found guilty on three felony gun charges in June stemming from purchasing a firearm while using drugs. He will be sentenced for these crimes on Nov. 13 – one week after the 2024 presidential election.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
