Federal prosecutors are preparing to seek an indictment against Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, on gun-related charges before September 29, as revealed in a court filing by special counsel David Weiss. This development follows the collapse of a previous plea deal that would have allowed Hunter Biden to avoid conviction on the gun charge. His attorney, Abbe Lowell, maintains that the deferred prosecution deal remains valid for the gun charge, preventing any additional charges if Hunter complies with the agreement's conditions for two years.
However, the legal battle continues, with ongoing disputes between the defense and prosecutors over the terms of the plea deal. The gun-related charges stem from Hunter Biden's purchase of a firearm in October 2018. At the time of the purchase, he falsely claimed on a federal form that he was not using, nor addicted to, any illegal drugs, despite struggling with crack cocaine addiction.
Under federal law, it is a crime to lie on such a form or to possess a firearm as a drug user. The statute of limitations for some of these offenses is set to expire in October, adding urgency to the proceedings.
This latest development is part of a broader legal scrutiny faced by Hunter Biden. He also faces charges of two counts of failure to pay federal income taxes on income exceeding $1.5 million annually in 2017 and 2018. Hunter Biden entered a not-guilty plea for these tax-related charges in July, a hearing where the initial plea deal collapsed due to questions raised by the presiding judge.
The legal saga surrounding Hunter Biden has garnered significant attention, given his overseas business dealings and allegations of corruption. However, neither Hunter Biden nor President Joe Biden has been charged in connection with these allegations.
The appointment of special counsel David Weiss in August marked a significant escalation in the probe. Weiss is also considering potential tax-related charges against Hunter Biden, with discussions ongoing about the trial location, possibly in California or Washington, D.C.
As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, the case remains a focal point of political and legal interest. Hunter Biden's legal team is advocating for a fair resolution, emphasizing adherence to the law and evidence, rather than external political pressures. The outcome of these legal battles will undoubtedly shape the future of this high-profile case.
