Washington — A court rejected Monday to dismiss Hunter Biden's tax lawsuit, bringing it closer to a trial while his father seeks reelection. U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi refused eight motions to dismiss the indictment accusing President Joe Biden's son of planning to evade $1.4 million in taxes while living lavishly.
Hunter Biden denies nine Los Angeles tax felonies and misdemeanors. Scarsi found no evidence for his attorney Abbe Lowell's accusations that the prosecution is politically motivated. “Defendant fails to present a reasonable inference, let alone clear evidence, of discriminatory effect and purpose,” he ruled.
Hunter Biden's counsel claimed anomalous case management. Lowell stated, “We strongly disagree with the court's decision and will continue to vigorously pursue Mr. Biden's challenges”.
The verdict follows a three-hour hearing last week where Scarsi, a Trump appointment, questioned the defense. The prosecution characterized the claims as improbable. Scarsi also denied allegations about the charges' timing, IRS agents' congressional testimony leaks, and the special counsel's appointment.
Hunter Biden was accused in Delaware with lying on a federal gun purchase form in 2018. Despite admitting to crack cocaine addiction, he denied using illegal narcotics. That prosecution accuses him of illegal gun possession, although he denies culpability. Both cases are under special counsel David Weiss and have tentative trials scheduled for June. Defense attorneys are also trying to drop Delaware gun charges.
The two allegations stem from a yearslong FBI probe that was slated to end this summer with a plea deal that would have given Hunter Biden two years of probation for misdemeanor tax charges. The president's son, who payed the unpaid taxes with a loan, may have avoided gun charge prosecution if he stayed out of trouble.
The bargain to spare Hunter Biden a criminal trial during the 2024 presidential campaign disintegrated after a Delaware federal court questioned it. Defense attorneys contended that immunity terms in the arrangement were signed by a prosecutor and remain in place, but Scarsi sided with prosecutors who stated it never had probation officer approval.
Republicans, including Trump, called Hunter Biden's suggested plea arrangement with prosecutors a “sweetheart deal”. The former president faces dozens of allegations in four instances, including plotting to overthrow the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden. Hunter Biden, 53, may serve 17 years for tax charges.
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