Devon Archer (far left) with Joe and Hunter Biden (right). Photo: Twitter. times by his son Hunter to «sell the brand» to potential business partners and investors, a congressional committee said.
Republicans have described the testimony of Devon Archer, a longtime Hunter Biden business partner, as a «curse» as they explore the potential impeachment investigation against the President of the United States.
Archer, 49, was hailed by the Republican-led House Oversight Committee as a potential star witness, who subpoenaed him.
Republicans on the committee allege that Hunter Biden used his father's status when he was vice president in a peddling scheme.
Mr. Archer was asked about whether Joe Biden was directly involved. Mr. Archer smiled but declined to answer reporters' questions when he arrived for a closed hearing at O'Neal's office building in Washington, DC.
His lawyer said he planned to answer the committee «honestly «. .
Promoting the «brand»
He told the committee that Joe Biden appeared on the speakerphone more than 20 times and the goal was to promote the «brand».
Mr. Archer was also questioned about the identity of the «big guy» who is cited as the financial beneficiary of Hunter Biden's business transactions in emails found on his laptop.
During a recess in the hearing, Republican Congressman Andy Biggs said: «Archer talking about the “big guy” and how Hunter Biden was always saying “we need to talk to my boyfriend” and “when my boyfriend gets here” and stuff like that.”
Asked if the evidence compromised Joe Biden, Mr. Biggs replied, «I think so.»
According to the Republicans, the closed hearing also said that Joe Biden attended a business dinner in 2014 in Washington with Hunter and his associates, as well as the widow of the former mayor of Moscow.
Joe Biden has repeatedly denied that he ever discussed his son's business relationship with him.
Before the hearing, however, the committee said it would ask Mr. Archer about «all the times he witnessed Joe Biden meet with Hunter Biden's overseas business.» partners when he was vice president, including on public address.”
The committee members made it clear in advance that they intended to focus on Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company whose board of directors included Hunter Biden, and Archer.
They were investigating anecdotal evidence obtained by the FBI about a bribery scheme involving Joe Biden when he was vice president.
The allegation was that Joe Biden pressured Ukraine to fire its chief prosecutor to stop the Burisma investigation while Hunter Biden and Mr Archer were on the board.
Ahead of the 2020 election, Joe Biden said he never discussed his son's business with him. Photo: Teresa Kruger
James Comer, chairman of the Republican Oversight Committee, said Mr. Archer played a «significant role in the Biden family's business.» transactions abroad, including but not limited to China, Russia and Ukraine.”
Mr Comer added: “We know that Devon Archer met and spoke with Joe Biden many times about Burisma and other things . ”
Mr. Archer and Hunter Biden became friends at Yale and later co-founded investment firm Rosemont Seneca Partners.
They were both photographed playing golf with Joe Biden in 2014 when he was vice president.
p>
Mr. Archer was later convicted in another case involving his role in a conspiracy to rob an Indian tribe. He was sentenced to one year in prison, but the sentence has yet to begin.
After Mr. Archer's initial conviction in the case in 2018, Hunter Biden reportedly sent him a text message apparently referring to the Justice Department as «mother mother» and adding that he and Mr Archer would «have the last laugh». /p>
Ten years ago, Hunter Biden emailed Mr. Archer thanking him for being «a great friend, no matter what.»
«Impeachment Inquiry»
Mr. Archer's appearance before a committee as a Republican explored the possibility conducting an impeachment inquiry against Joe Biden.
Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the House of Representatives for the Republican Party, said last week that «this is escalating to the level of an impeachment inquiry.»
Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the oversight committee, accused the Republicans of creating a «false and distorted narrative» about the Biden family.
Chris Swecker, a former assistant director of the FBI, said: «They were selling access. They do a big setup and then they call Joe Biden.
“It just shows that they have access. Here he is, talking on the phone. I just told you that we can do something for you… and here he is.»
Mr. Swecker said when someone also thought about firing the Burisma prosecutor: «The guy , you're really close to being a slam dunk in my opinion.»
Dan Goldman, a Democrat on the oversight committee, said that during his speakerphone appearances, Joe Biden «didn't even know who there were people” with his son, and that he was “just asked to say hello.”
Mr. Goldman said it was said at the hearing that the then vice president was talking about the weather.
He said that Mr. Archer testified that «none of these conversations were business-like and purely casual.»
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