In a federal court hearing in Los Angeles, Hunter Biden faced skepticism from Judge Mark Scarsi regarding his attempt to dismiss a criminal tax evasion case, alleging selective prosecution under political pressure.
Scarsi questioned whether Biden’s legal team had substantial evidence beyond the timing of the charges, challenging their claims of political influence.
Hunter’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, acknowledged the significance of the timeline but struggled to provide concrete evidence beyond it.
Additionally, the defense argued that two IRS agents’ public disclosures about Biden’s tax returns had influenced prosecutors, a claim met with skepticism by the judge.
Prosecutor Leo Wise rebuffed allegations of undue influence, labeling them “patently absurd.” Hunter Biden, accused of evading $1.4 million in taxes, denied the charges and asserted that he had repaid the owed amount in full.
The trial, scheduled for June, coincides with a contentious presidential election, intensifying the political backdrop of the case.
Hunter Biden, already facing separate charges in Delaware related to the purchase of a handgun while using illegal drugs, pleaded not guilty and sought dismissal based on similar grounds.
Special Counsel David Weiss criticized Biden’s legal team for spreading “conspiracy theories” and emphasized the absence of evidence implicating President Joe Biden in his son’s dealings.
The tax indictment details Hunter Biden’s foreign business ventures, which have been subject to a Republican-led House impeachment investigation.
Despite the scrutiny, no evidence has emerged implicating the president in his son’s activities. Hunter Biden’s defense also contends that an earlier plea deal that collapsed under judicial scrutiny should bar the current charges, although prosecutors dispute its validity.
