Hunter Biden is once again set to face trial, this time on charges related to unpaid federal taxes amounting to over $1 million. The charges stem from allegations that he failed to pay taxes on income between 2016 and 2019, a period marked by his struggle with addiction following the death of his brother, Beau Biden, from brain cancer.
This trial, set to begin this week, follows his previous conviction in June on felony gun charges. In that case, Biden was found guilty of lying about his drug use on a federal gun purchase form, making him the first child of a sitting president to face a criminal conviction.
The current tax case, overseen by a California-based federal judge, will delve into the financial choices Hunter Biden made during a turbulent time in his life. Prosecutors argue that his personal spending, which included expenditures on strip clubs, sex workers, and drugs, may offer insight into his state of mind and whether he intentionally avoided paying taxes.
At a pretrial hearing, Biden’s attorney, Mark Geragos, accused the prosecution of attempting to “slime” his client by focusing on these personal details, which Geragos claims are irrelevant to the case. However, the judge has not yet decided whether such evidence will be admissible.
Hunter Biden’s legal team plans to argue that his actions were not “willful,” contending that his addiction impaired his judgment and decision-making during the period in question. This defense echoes arguments made during his gun trial, where his addiction and trauma were central themes.
Despite his legal troubles, Biden has expressed gratitude for his recovery from addiction, stating that “recovery is possible by the grace of God.” The outcome of this trial, which carries significant stakes given the potential for additional felony convictions, will be closely watched.
The trial’s start date is set for September 5, with jury selection, and opening statements will follow on September 9.
