US President Joe Biden’s son Hunter could be charged with tax crimes and a false statement relating to a gun purchase, according to reports.
The Washington Post claimed people familiar with the case believe they have gathered sufficient evidence against the 52-year-old businessman.
It would be for David C. Weiss, the US Attorney in Delaware, to decide on whether to file such charges, its sources said.
An investigation started four years ago and was used by then-president Donald Trump during his failed 2020 re-election bid.
Initially, the investigation centred around Hunter’s finances related to overseas business ties and consulting work - particularly in China and Ukraine.
Investigators with multiple agencies focused closely on whether he did not report all of his income, and whether he lied on paperwork when a gun was bought in 2018, reported the newspaper.
Trump nominated Weiss to become the top federal prosecutor in Delaware in late 2017.
A spokeswoman for Weiss declined to comment, as did spokesmen for the Justice Department, and the FBI and the IRS, the two primary investigative agencies.
A lawyer for Hunter said he had not been contacted by federal agents. He has repeatedly denied breaking the law.
Chris Clark, a lawyer for Hunter, accused investigators of leaking information.
“It is a federal felony for a federal agent to leak information about a Grand Jury investigation such as this one,” Clark said in a written statement.
“Any agent you cite as a source in your article apparently has committed such a felony.
“We expect the Department of Justice will diligently investigate and prosecute such bad actors.
“As is proper and legally required, we believe the prosecutors in this case are diligently and thoroughly weighing not just evidence provided by agents, but also all the other witnesses in this case, including witnesses for the defence.
“That is the job of the prosecutors. They should not be pressured, rushed, or criticized for doing their job.”
President Biden has stood by his second and only living son through his public and private struggles, including drug addiction.
