Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden Photo: Andrew Harnick/AP
Republicans criticized the US Justice Department for what it concluded with Hunter Biden a «favorite deal» as the president's son escaped jail on tax and weapons charges.
After a five-year criminal investigation into his financial affairs, Biden, 53, has agreed to plead guilty to two minor tax offenses and will not be prosecuted for buying weapons while abusing drugs.
The prosecutor's office will recommend a suspended sentence and he will avoid both trial and possible jail time.
Republicans said the «slap» on the president's child was indicative of a «two-tier justice system» like Donald Trump's. faced trial and possibly a lengthy prison sentence for alleged mishandling of classified documents.
Mr. Trump said, “Wow! Biden's corrupt Justice Department has just decriminalized hundreds of years by issuing a simple «travel ticket» to Hunter Biden. Our system WILL BREAK!”
Ron DeSantis, Trump's main rival for the GOP nomination, said: «It looks like Hunter got a good deal and he's not facing any massive corruption allegations. If Hunter had not been associated with the D.C. elite class, he would have been jailed long ago.”
Hunter Biden received at least $1.5 million (£1.18 million) in taxable income from every calendar year. 2017 and 2018, according to court documents.
Hunter Biden with Joe Biden, his father. Photo: Teresa Kruger. federal income taxes every year, he paid no income tax for one year.»
They also reported that between October 12, 2018 and October 23, 2018, Mr. Biden «owned a firearm weapon, even though he knew he was an illegal user of a controlled substance and was addicted to it.»
In buying the gun, Mr. Biden said he was not «an illegal user of marijuana or any other depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug or any other controlled substance and was not addicted to it.”
But in 2021, he admitted in his memoirs that he used drugs, including crack.
If convicted in court, he would have faced up to 12 months in prison for each tax charge and up to 10 years on charges of possession of a firearm.
Instead, he agreed to take part in the «sabotage» program.
According to the Justice Department, this is «taking some offenders away from traditional criminal justice towards alternative systems of supervision,» including treatment for mental illness and substance abuse.
Under the scheme, Mr. Biden will agree not to use drugs in for two years, and also agree never to own a weapon in the future.
This happened when Republicans in Congress began their own investigation into his business dealings and the affairs of the Biden family.
James Comer, chairman of the Republican House Oversight Committee, said: «These accusations against Hunter Biden and the sweetheart plea deal do not affect the investigation of the oversight committee.
«We will not rest until we fully resident Biden's involvement in family schemes exposed.»
He added: «Let's be clear: the Justice Department's allegations against President Biden's son Hunter reveal a two-tier justice system. Hunter Biden can get away with a slap in the face.”
Delaware Investigation
The allegations arose from an investigation led by David Weiss, the US Attorney for the Bidens' state of Delaware.
Mr. Weiss was appointed by the Trump administration. Hunter Biden has worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, and investment banker.
For years, Mr. Trump and Republicans have accused him of wrongdoing related to business dealings in Ukraine and China. Biden is expected to appear in court in Delaware within days to face charges. The deal with prosecutors was then expected to be approved by a judge.
Christopher Clark, attorney for Hunter Biden, said: «It is my understanding that Hunter's five-year investigation has been completed.»
«I know that Hunter feels it is important to take responsibility for the mistakes he has made during a period of upheaval and addiction in his life.He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward.»
The White House statement said: «The President and the First Ladies love and support their son as he continues to rebuild his life.We will have no further comment.»
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