Judge refuses to toss out tax case against Hunter Biden

WASHINGTON — A judge declined to dismiss a tax case against Hunter Biden on Monday, moving the case closer to the possible spectacle of a trial as his father campaigned for another term as president.

U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi has denied eight requests to dismiss the indictment accusing President Joe Biden’s son of a four-year scheme to avoid paying $1.4 million in taxes while living an extravagant lifestyle.

Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to nine tax felony charges filed in Los Angeles. His lawyers argued that the accuser is politically motivated and made several other arguments to have the case dismissed.

Scarsi appeared skeptical of the defense during last week’s three-hour hearing. Prosecutors called the claims far-fetched.

Hunter Biden has also been charged in Delaware with lying on a federal form to purchase a gun in 2018. He said he was not using or addicted to illegal drugs, although he admitted to being addicted to crack cocaine at the time. He has pleaded not guilty in that case, in which he is also accused of illegal possession of the weapon.

Both cases are being overseen by special counsel David Weiss and preliminary trials are now scheduled for June, although attorneys are also trying to have the gun charges dropped in Delaware.