A federal judge in California is threatening to sanction Hunter Biden’s lawyers for making false statements in a court filing seeking to dismiss the tax case against President Joe Biden’s son. The judge accused the lawyers of misrepresenting the history of the case, specifically regarding the timing of when charges were brought against Hunter Biden. The judge ordered Biden’s lawyers to explain why they should not be sanctioned for their actions.
Hunter Biden’s legal team, represented by attorney Mark Geragos, stated that they would respond to the judge’s allegations but maintained that they did not make any false statements. They argued that the charges against Hunter Biden in California were filed by a special counsel who did not have the authority to do so until after he was appointed. The case accuses Hunter Biden of a scheme to avoid paying $1.4 million in taxes and is scheduled for trial in September.
Hunter Biden’s lawyers cited a ruling from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who dismissed a separate prosecution of former President Donald Trump in Florida. Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith, who filed charges against Trump, was illegally appointed by the Justice Department. Hunter Biden’s legal team argued that the same logic should apply in his cases, leading to the dismissal of his tax case in California and a separate firearm case in Delaware.
Special counsel Jack Smith, who filed charges against Hunter Biden in Delaware, has appealed Judge Cannon’s dismissal, arguing that the Justice Department followed established precedent in his appointment. Hunter Biden was found guilty of lying about his drug use on a federal form to buy a firearm in 2018, leading to his conviction on three felony charges in Delaware. The tax case in California, where Hunter Biden resides, involves allegations of at least $1.4 million in unpaid taxes over four years, which prosecutors claim he failed to pay.
The ongoing legal battles involving Hunter Biden have attracted significant attention, with the case in California and the appeal in Delaware continuing to unfold. The accusations against Hunter Biden and the subsequent legal proceedings have put a spotlight on the complexities of the case and the arguments presented by both sides. The outcome of these cases will have implications not only for Hunter Biden but also for the broader political landscape, given his connection to President Joe Biden. Follow the AP’s coverage of Hunter Biden for the latest updates on these legal developments.
