Hunter Biden’s Tax Case -- Background, Timeline, and Result

Robert Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, recently pleaded guilty to 9 charges of tax fraud in the Federal Court of Central California. Whilst a son of a President being convicted is a novel event, it seemed to have happened in the most puzzling way. Under normal circumstances, a guilty plea would be something to haggle about -- and indeed it was haggled since the indictment was filed in 2023 -- however, this plea did not result in any benefit for Hunter Biden. We now explore his case, his motives for the plea, and what this could mean for him, and the country.

Special Counsel David Weiss

David Weiss, an appointee of President Donald Trump in 2018, has been on Hunter Biden’s case since his 2018 appointment and confirmation as US Attorney from Delaware. Since then, Mr. Weiss has rigorously investigated Mr. Biden in two separate instances. The one we want to focus on is Mr. Biden’s activities between 2016 and 2019, where he failed to pay $1.4 million dollars in federal taxes, however, spent copious amounts on a varied range of escorts, drugs, and luxurious endeavors that totalled hundreds of thousands of dollars more than he owed in back taxes.

The Indictment

Released on December 7th, 2023, the indictment for the above activities encompassed 9 different charges -- 3 felonies, and 6 misdemeanors -- surrounding his failure to pay taxes. The indictment goes into gross detail about the actions conducted by Mr. Biden, so much so that his wife Melissa Cohen left the courtroom upon the reading of the indictment at Mr. Biden’s hearing on September 5th. Recognizing intensive logs of monetary receipts, the indictment serves as a searing stain for the now rehabilitated Mr. Biden, which will come into effect once we view the effects of the indictment.

The indictment’s case mainly revolves around Mr. Biden willingly knowing what he did was illegal, showcasing text logs from his personal accountants who informed him he needed to pay owed taxes, numerous times, to which he recognized the fact and still willfully did not pay forward his taxes. One of the most scathing parts I found was a bolded section recalling a text from his ex-wife in 2018, to which he said: “When I can pay the taxes, I will pay the taxes. I’m (sic) the meantime I’m struggling to pay your alimony and all girls expenses.” Should this have gone to a jury, it could be that the records showcasing that Mr. Biden was lying about his financial ability to his ex-wife would have been an open-and-shut showing of his willful complicity in his failure to pay his taxes.

The Plea

On his day in court, Mr. Biden surprised many by flat-out admitting guilt to all portions of the indictment. Originally, Mr. Biden sought out what is known as an “Alford Plea,” when the defendant accepts punishment but maintains his innocence. This is separate from the more popular nolo contendere plea, which maintains that the defendant does not plead innocent or guilty, but accepts the sentencing of the court. The Alford Plea is most often used to get past the expensive, or embarrassing, experience of a public trial. In such a case as this, with intensive explanation of Mr. Biden’s activity, and the context of his aforementioned second case -- where individuals were made to testify about incredibly embarrassing activity Mr. Biden undertook -- showcase a motive to get his family out of the spotlight. However, the special counsel protested a request, leading to Mr. Biden to formally plead guilty -- without a deal or any restriction on sentencing.

This plea means that Mr. Biden could spend up to 17 years in federal prison, which will be further worsened due to his previous conviction on his second indictment, making him a repeat offender. Mr. Biden’s legal team has indicated a potential appeal, and his father President Biden has refused the possibility of commutation or pardon for his convicted son. This places Mr. Biden in a precarious situation, who is 54, to potentially face a significant portion of his later years behind bars. 

However, now that he has plead guilty, it brings the country’s focus on Mr. Biden to a gradual close. With the decision of his father to not seek re-election, it seems that the Biden family is taking a firm page turn from the national spotlight. For a family afflicted by tragedy, it is hard to imagine how much of a weight it might be for Mr. Biden to be taken away from his family. However, it is this expression of our justice system that shows all levels of people should and must be applicable to the rule of law, regardless of political position. In a time of our country that has seen increasingly worried turns away from the rule of law, it is a breath of fresh air that justice can still operate with strength.