Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, pleaded guilty to federal tax charges on Thursday, September 5, 2024, in the United States. Hunter admitted to nine counts related to his failure to pay approximately USD $1.4 million in taxes over the past decade.
Prosecutors allege that he used the money for a luxurious lifestyle, which included paying sex workers and spending on drugs. U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi set a sentencing date for December 16. Hunter could face up to 17 years in prison and a fine exceeding USD $1 million.
Hunter has spent much of 2024 in court, after getting a conviction in Delaware for lying about drug use when purchasing a firearm. Although he has not yet been sentenced for that crime, he faces up to 25 years in prison for the offense.
Despite having the authority to pardon his son, President Biden has stated that he will not do so. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed this statement, telling reporters that the President’s decision remains unchanged.
Hoping to Avoid Prison
Hunter’s guilty plea came on the same day a jury was selected for the trial. He had offered to plead guilty in hopes of securing a deal that would spare him from a prison sentence.
Hunter had attempted to enter what is known as an “Alford plea,” where a defendant admits guilt because they believe a conviction is likely to happen but still maintains their innocence. However, the offer was rejected, and no agreement was reached, forcing Hunter to plead openly in court.
“I want to make it clear: the U.S. opposes an Alford plea,” prosecutor Leo Wise told the court. “Hunter Biden is not innocent; he is guilty,” Wise added.
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Character Assassination Attempt
Hunter’s legal team has argued that he is being prosecuted not only for his actions but because of his identity as the President’s son, accusing the prosecution of a character assassination attempt.
“They want to humiliate him because that’s the goal,” Biden’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, said during an August hearing, accusing prosecutors of attempting to destroy Hunter’s reputation.
Hunter’s defense team said that his failure to pay taxes was a result of negligence during a chaotic life he had due to his drug addiction. They also dragged his trauma over the death of his older brother, Beau, from brain cancer back in 2015.
“I have been clean and sober for more than five years because I have had the love and support of my family. I will never be able to repay them for standing by me and helping me through my darkest times,” Hunter said. “But I can protect them from public shame due to my failures,” he added.
Hunter has paid the overdue taxes and fines imposed by authorities. While he previously had a plea deal that would spare him from prison. However, that deal fell apart at the last moment, and he has been attempting to reach a new agreement ever since.
(Raidi/Agung)
