Biden’s son pleads guilty in court, faces up to 17 years in prison

The surprising decision came on the eve of the start of the trial, where Hunter Biden faced charges of evading $1.4 million in taxes.

Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to a series of tax charges in California on Thursday (5), avoiding a criminal trial that could have exposed embarrassing details about him and his parents, President Joe Biden and the first lady.

The unexpected guilty plea came in federal court in Los Angeles just as jury selection was about to begin. The twist in the case is that Biden made his plea without reaching an agreement with prosecutors, meaning he has received no assurances about the penalty he will face when he is sentenced in December.

Earlier in the day, Hunter attempted to enter an Alford plea, in which he would have admitted the weight of the evidence against him, accepting punishment but not admitting guilt. However, prosecutors rejected that plea.

“Hunter Biden is not innocent. He is guilty. He cannot plead guilty on special terms,” said prosecutor Leo Wise.

After the hearing, Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, explained that his client made the decision to plead guilty to spare his family unnecessary embarrassment and suffering. “This plea prevents a show trial that would not bring all the facts to light or adequately serve justice,” Lowell said, adding that the plea allows Biden to challenge the case during the appeals phase.

Hunter Biden’s legal troubles have been a source of anguish for his family and a political challenge for his father. In June, he was convicted in Delaware on three criminal charges, including lying during a federal background check when buying a gun in 2018.

The trial has brought to light difficult moments, including his years-long crack addiction and his relationship with his late brother’s widow. Republicans have sought to tie Hunter’s failings and questionable business dealings to the president’s image. But with Joe Biden out of the race since July, Hunter’s legal troubles have lost some of their national political impact.

Hunter was accused of evading $1.4 million in taxes, including misusing business deductions. Much of that money was allegedly spent on a lavish lifestyle that included hotels, cars, drugs and prostitutes while he battled his addiction.

If convicted, he could face up to 17 years in prison, although the final sentence is expected to be significantly less.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on Hunter Biden’s appeal, but the president has previously said he would not pardon his son.

With information from the Financial Times