President Son Faces Up To 17 Years In Prison Over Tax Evasion After Guilty Plea
The charges include tax evasion, filing fraudulent tax returns, and failing to pay taxes. Scarsi indicated that Biden could also be fined up to $1.3 million.
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, is facing up to 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to nine federal tax charges in a Los Angeles courtroom on Thursday.
This unexpected move came on what was supposed to be the first day of a lengthy trial.
District Judge Mark Scarsi, a Trump appointee, accepted the plea and set sentencing for December 16, CNN reports.
The charges include tax evasion, filing fraudulent tax returns, and failing to pay taxes. Scarsi indicated that Biden could also be fined up to $1.3 million.
During the hearing, prosecutor Leo Wise, who led the case, expressed surprise at Biden’s change of plea, saying, “We were as shocked as everyone else in the courtroom this morning.”
Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, defended his client’s actions, stating, “Hunter decided to enter his plea to protect those he loves from unnecessary hurt and cruel humiliation.”
Lowell added that the plea was made to avoid another public trial, which would focus on Biden’s struggles with addiction. He said, “This plea prevents that kind of show trial that would have not provided all the facts or served any real point in justice.”
Prosecutors, however, maintained that Biden was guilty and had initiated the events leading to the charges.
“He’s the one that triggered this set of events,” said Wise.
He also opposed Biden’s initial attempt to enter an Alford plea, which allows a defendant to plead guilty while maintaining innocence.
Biden’s case has drawn attention due to the possibility of a presidential pardon. However, the White House reiterated Thursday that President Biden had ruled out this option.
Hunter Biden previously faced trial in June for gun-related charges. He was convicted and is awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for November 13.
