Hunter Biden’s tax charges have been dismissed by a federal judge in Delaware after his so-called ‘sweetheart’ plea deal dramatically fell through.
After the collapse of the deal earlier this month prosecutors asked District Judge Maryellen Noreika to dismiss the charges in Delaware, so new charges could potentially be brought in California or Washington DC.
Hunter Biden’s lawyers did not contest the move and Judge Noreika approved the request on Thursday.
The dismissed charges were two tax misdemeanors for failing to pay taxes on time in 2017 and 2018.
Without a plea deal Hunter may now face more serious charges brought by newly appointed special counsel David Weiss.
Hunter Biden’s tax charges have been dismissed by a federal judge in Delaware after his so-called ‘sweetheart’ plea deal dramatically fell through
Judge Maryellen Noreika dismissed the charges in Delaware after requests from the prosecution
Biden arriving at court in Wilmington, Delaware, last month. He had been expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges, but the plea deal collapsed in spectacular fashion
The president’s son may still be able to salvage a separate plea deal related to a felony gun possession charge, but it is not yet clear.
The charge, which Hunter’s lawyers claim is still binding but prosecutors say never went into effect, would allow the gun charges to be dropped in two years if Biden stayed out of legal trouble and passed drugs test.
The agreement on the gun charge also contains an immunity clause against federal prosecutions for some other potential crimes.
In another recent twist Biden’s defense attorney on the case, Christopher Clark, filed to withdraw from the case on Tuesday.
Clark said that he could be called as a witness over the negotiation and drafting of the deal and cannot also act as his lawyer. He has been replaced by another Hunter Biden attorney, Abbe Lowell.
Attorney General Merrick Garland’s surprise announcement last week of Weiss as special counsel raised fresh questions about the case ahead of the 2024 election. Hunter Biden´s history of drug use and financial dealings have trailed the political career of his father.
The case comes against the backdrop of the Justice Department´s indictments against former President Donald Trump – Joe Biden’s chief rival in next year’s election.
The case against Hunter appeared to be drawing to a close when both sides announced they had reached a deal in June.
Hunter allegedly lied on a firearm report (above) required for his gun transaction. A photo of the form shows he answered ‘no’ when asked if he was an ‘unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance
But it fell apart at a hearing last month that was expected to end with Biden escaping jail time in return for pleading guilty to failing to pay taxes on over $1.5 million in income in both 2017 and 2018.
The two sides appeared to have different views of how the deal was to work, and the judge refused to sign off without more clarity.
Weiss said one of the problems was that Biden and his attorney appeared to be saying he was pleading guilty because of promises that had not been included in the deal.
‘This was a problem entirely of their own making and not one that resulted from the drafting of the proposed plea or diversion agreements,’ he said.
Rather than disappearing, it means the case now hangs over the president as he campaigns for reelection next year.
