Hunter Biden tax fraud prosecutor insists he has ultimate authority over case

The federal prosecutor who brought charges against Hunter Biden has hit back at claims that his investigation from D.C. was led by a Biden appointee who made the final call on charges.

David Weiss, the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney for Delaware, responded in a letter Friday to House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, reiterating that he had “ultimate authority” on the matter.

“I have been granted supreme authority in this case, including the responsibility to decide where, when and if charges should be filed and to make decisions as necessary to preserve the integrity of the prosecution,” Weiss wrote, reiterating his comments in an earlier June 7 letter to Jordan, a Republican from Ohio.

The letter came after IRS agent Gary Shapely testified that Weiss had attempted to press charges against Hunter Biden in Washington DC but was blocked by D.C.’s top federal prosecutor Matthew Graves, a Biden appointee.

Weiss explained that as a U.S. attorney for Delaware, his suing authority is normally “geographically limited” to that district — but said Attorney General Merrick Garland had promised to grant him special attorney status to press charges anywhere.

“I have been given ultimate authority in this matter, including the responsibility to decide where, when and if charges should be brought,” Weiss wrote of his investigation into Hunter, seen Sunday

“If a location for my case is elsewhere, it is common practice for the department’s practice to contact the U.S. law firm for the district in question to determine whether it would like to cooperate on the case,” Weiss wrote.

“If not, I can ask the Attorney General for special attorney status,” he added, saying he had assurances that he would receive such status “in the District of Columbia, the central district of California.” or any other district where charges are filed. could be brought into this case.”

The letter comes more than a week after 53-year-old Hunter Biden reached an agreement with the government to plead guilty to tax violations.

The plea deal would also avoid prosecution on charges of illegal possession of firearms as a drug user, as long as Biden adheres to terms agreed upon in court.

In his letter, Weiss also denied claims that the Justice Department had taken “retaliatory action” against Shapley and another whistleblower who criticized his handling of the Hunter Biden investigation in congressional testimony.

Also, Weiss rejected Jordan’s sweeping demands for documents and records related to interactions between the DOJ and IRS in the Hunter Biden case.

“I have an obligation to protect confidential law enforcement information and deliberative communications related to the matter. Therefore, at this time, I will not provide specific information related to the Hunter Biden investigation,” he wrote.

“At the appropriate time, I welcome the opportunity to discuss these topics in more detail with the committee and answer questions related to the whistleblower allegations that are consistent with the law and department policy,” he added.

IRS Agent Gary Shapely (above) testified that Weiss had tried to indict Hunter Biden in Washington D.C. but was blocked by D.C.’s top federal prosecutor

Weiss’ letter dated June 30 (above) comes more than a week after Hunter Biden, 53, reached an agreement with the government to plead guilty to tax violations

Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee, led by GOP Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri, to release the congressional testimony of the two IRS employees.

The testimony of Shapley and another unidentified agent describes what they called a pattern of “slow-moving investigative steps” and delayed enforcement efforts in the months leading up to the 2020 presidential election, won by Joe Biden.

It’s unclear whether the conflict they describe boils down to internal disagreement over how to proceed with the investigation or a pattern of interference and preferential treatment.

The Department’s policy has long warned prosecutors to be careful about bringing cases with possible political overtones around election time to avoid influencing the outcome.

The Justice Department has denied the allegations, saying Weiss, who was appointed to the position when Donald Trump was president, had full control of the case.

In recent press interviews, Shapely repeated his claims that Graves, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, oversaw Weiss’ investigation of Hunter Biden.

In an interview with Fox News, Shapely described an October 7, 2022 meeting with top IRS and FBI officials about the investigation.

President Joe Biden, son Hunter Biden and grandson Beau Biden Jr. arrive last Sunday at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, DC

“I was there and I personally witnessed it,” Shapley said, noting that Weiss began by saying “he’s not the person who decides whether or not to press charges.”

Shapley claimed the final decision was made by Washington DC officials. He noted that in March 2022, Weiss met with Graves, who was appointed by Joe Biden.

“After that happened, he was no longer looking to attack,” Shapley said.

“So that’s earth-shattering news,” said Fox News’ Bret Baier. “It’s a Biden-appointed U.S. attorney from DC, Matthew Graves, who wouldn’t allow him to sue in his district?”

“I didn’t learn that fact until October 7, 2022, so looking back to March 2022. And then David Weiss said on October 7, 2022 that the DCUS law firm will not allow us there,” Shapley responded.

Shapley, who worked for the bureau for 14 years, helped oversee the investigation of the president’s son. He raises questions about the alleged special treatment throughout the investigation and how the indictment decisions were made.