Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges on Thursday after a long-running legal battle that’s cast a shadow over the First Family. The 54-year-old admitted to nine charges related to failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes, with prosecutors alleging he instead spent the money on a lavish lifestyle, drug use, and sex workers.
His guilty plea comes after a failed attempt to strike a deal with prosecutors that could have kept him out of prison. With sentencing set for December 16, Hunter Biden faces the possibility of 17 years behind bars and a fine exceeding $1 million.
This legal drama has been a painful chapter for the Biden family, with Hunter acknowledging the damage done. “I will not subject my family to more pain, more invasions of privacy, and needless embarrassment,” he said in a statement, accusing prosecutors of focusing on his past addictions rather than pursuing justice.
This is not Hunter Biden’s first run-in with the law. Earlier this year, he was convicted of lying about his drug use while purchasing a firearm, a serious crime that could land him another 25 years in prison. Despite these convictions, President Biden has maintained that he will not pardon his son, a stance reiterated by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who confirmed, “It is still very much a ‘no.’”
Biden’s defense team argues that his troubles stem from his struggles with addiction, particularly following the death of his brother Beau in 2015. While they acknowledge the tax oversights, they’ve emphasized that he’s already paid back the taxes and penalties. However, a plea deal that would have kept him out of jail fell apart, and prosecutors have shown no signs of leniency.
The case has been heavily politicized, with Republicans accusing Hunter Biden of receiving special treatment due to his family connections. Despite lacking concrete evidence, they’ve long portrayed the Biden family as benefiting from Joe Biden’s political career.
Hunter’s attempt to enter an “Alford plea,” where he would admit guilt while maintaining innocence, was rejected by the court. Prosecutors have remained firm, with Leo Wise, representing the U.S., stating, “Hunter Biden is not innocent, he is guilty.”
In his statement, Hunter Biden acknowledged his mistakes but pointed to his journey toward recovery. “I’ve been clean and sober for over five years, thanks to my family’s support,” he said, vowing to protect them from further public humiliation.
