Hunter Biden has decided to change his plea to guilty on federal tax charges brought against him by special counsel David Weiss, after initially pleading not guilty. The trial commenced in Los Angeles with jury selection.
Weiss has accused Hunter Biden of three felonies and six misdemeanors related to $1.4 million in unpaid taxes, which have now been settled. The special counsel alleged a 'four-year scheme' where Biden failed to pay his federal income taxes and submitted false tax reports.
In the indictment, Weiss claimed that Biden evaded paying at least $1.4 million in federal taxes for tax years 2016 through 2019. He also alleged that Biden manipulated the payroll and tax withholding process of his company, Owasco, PC, by withdrawing funds outside the proper channels.
Weiss further stated that Biden spent substantial amounts on a lavish lifestyle instead of settling his tax obligations, including halting payments for taxes due in 2015. Biden was accused of willfully delaying payments for tax years 2016 to 2019 and failing to file timely tax returns for 2017 and 2018.
This is the second trial for Biden this year stemming from Weiss' investigation. Previously, Biden was found guilty in Delaware on charges related to making false statements during a firearm purchase, false statements to a licensed firearm dealer, and possession of a firearm while being an unlawful user of controlled substances.
No sentencing date has been set for the Delaware charges. If convicted on all counts, Biden could face a maximum prison term of 25 years, with each count carrying a potential fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release.
President Biden has affirmed that he will not pardon his son for any offenses.