Hunter Biden’s tax charges DISMISSED by Delaware federal judge after ‘sweetheart’ plea deal falls through
Hunter Biden’s tax charges REJECTED by Delaware federal judge after ‘sweetie’ plea deal falls through
- Judge Maryellen Noreika dismissed the Delaware indictment at the request of the prosecution
- The move leaves the president’s son vulnerable to new, potentially more serious charges, as Special Counsel David Weiss continues to investigate
Hunter Biden’s tax charges have been dismissed by a Delaware federal judge after his so-called “sweetie” plea deal failed dramatically.
After the deal fell through earlier this month, prosecutors asked District Judge Maryellen Noreika to dismiss the Delaware suit so that new charges could potentially be filed in California or Washington DC.
Hunter Biden’s lawyers did not contest the move, and Judge Noreika approved the request Thursday.
The dismissed charges were two tax misdemeanor charges for failing to pay taxes on time in 2017 and 2018.
Without a plea deal, Hunter can now face more serious charges filed by newly appointed special counsel David Weiss.
Hunter Biden’s tax charges dismissed by a Delaware federal judge after his so-called ‘sweetie’ plea deal failed dramatically
Judge Maryellen Noreika dismissed the Delaware indictment at the request of the prosecution
Biden arrived at court in Wilmington, Delaware, last month. He was expected to plead guilty to two felonies, but the plea deal collapsed in spectacular fashion
The president’s son may still be able to salvage a separate plea deal regarding a gun possession charge, but it’s not yet clear.
The indictment, which Hunter’s lawyers say is still binding but prosecutors say never went into effect, would allow the gun charges to be dropped within two years if Biden stays out of legal trouble and passes the drug test.
The gun charge agreement also includes an immunity clause from federal prosecution for some other possible crimes.
In another recent twist, Biden’s attorney on the case, Christopher Clark, filed a request Tuesday to withdraw from the case.
Clark said he can be called as a witness to the negotiation and drafting of the deal and cannot also act as his attorney. He has been replaced by another Hunter Biden lawyer, Abbe Lowell.
Attorney General Merrick Garland’s surprise announcement last week that Weiss was appointed as special counsel raised new questions about the case ahead of the 2024 election. Hunter Biden’s history of drug use and financial dealings have left his father’s political career behind resigned.
The case comes against the backdrop of the Justice Department’s indictments against former President Donald Trump – Joe Biden’s main rival in next year’s election.
The case against Hunter appeared to be drawing to a close when both parties announced in June that they had reached a deal.
Hunter allegedly lied about a firearms report (above) needed for his gun transaction. A photo of the form shows that he answered “no” when asked if he was an “unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotics or other controlled substance.”
But it fell apart at a hearing last month that was expected to end with Biden escaping prison in exchange for a plea for not paying taxes on more than $1.5 million in income in both 2017 and 2018.
The two sides seemed to have different views on how the deal would work, and the judge refused to sign without further clarification.
Weiss said one of the problems was that Biden and his attorney seemed to say he was pleading guilty over promises not included in the deal.
“This was a problem of their own making and not a result of drafting the proposed plea or diversion agreements,” he said.
Instead of disappearing, it means the case now hangs over the president as he campaigns for re-election next year.