Hunter Biden faces new criminal case for tax evasion of $1.4 million

Hunter Biden was charged with three felonies and six misdemeanor tax violations. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

On Thursday, the Ministry of Justice opened a new criminal case. charges against Hunter Biden accusing him of evading $1.4 million (£1.1 million) in taxes while spending millions of dollars on a lavish lifestyle.

Mr. Biden, the son of the US president, received three felonies and six misdemeanor tax offenses, according to the indictment filed in US District Court in Central California.

If he is convicted of the charges, he faces up to 17 years in prison. The Justice Department said the investigation into Biden is ongoing.

“The defendant engaged in a four-year scheme to fail to pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes that he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019.” » the indictment said.

The defendant «spent millions on an extravagant lifestyle.»

It added that he «spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle instead of paying his tax bills.»

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A spokesman for special counsel David Weiss and Biden's lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Cases The indictment unsealed Thursday says Biden made «good money» while serving on the board of directors of a Ukrainian industrial conglomerate and a Chinese foundation. direct investment.

But, according to the charges, his expenses increased as his income increased.

In 2018 alone, the indictment says, Biden «spent more than $1.8 million, including approximately $772,000 on cash withdrawals, approximately $383,000 on payments to women, approximately $151,000 on clothing and accessories,» among others. expenses.

The indictment added: “Defendant did not use any of these funds to pay taxes in 2018.”

Drug charges

Mr. Biden pleaded not guilty in October pleaded guilty to charges in Delaware that he lied about his drug use while buying a gun, marking the first prosecution of the child of a sitting US president.

Mr Weiss brought these charges against him after previously the proposed plea deal fell apart during questioning by the judge. The special prosecutor is still investigating whether he can be charged with tax violations.

The special counsel investigating Biden has hired a grand jury in Los Angeles to collect documents and possible testimony from several witnesses in the case. a federal investigation into his business dealings, CNN reported last month.