Judge Questions Hunter Biden’s Request to Dismiss Tax Charges

An attempt by President Joe Biden’s son Hunter to dismiss his criminal tax-evasion case was met with skepticism by a U.S. judge on Wednesday. Hunter Biden argued that he was selectively targeted for prosecution due to political pressure.

During a hearing in federal court in Los Angeles, U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi questioned Hunter Biden’s lawyers about their evidence that prosecutors caved to pressure from Republicans. The charges were filed after months of accusations by Republicans and former President Donald Trump that Hunter was given leniency.

“Do you have any evidence other than the timeline?” Scarsi asked Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell.

Lowell acknowledged that “it’s a timeline, but it’s a juicy timeline.”

Scarsi also doubted the defense team’s argument that prosecutors were influenced by two IRS agents who went public with information about Hunter’s tax returns.

“How are they responsible for what’s in the indictment?” Scarsi asked.

“I can’t make the connection that that’s why that happened,” Lowell said, later adding that “it was those two agents that started the dominoes.”

Prosecutor Leo Wise dismissed the idea that the agents had influenced prosecutors as “patently absurd.”

Hunter Biden, 54, pleaded not guilty to failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019. He allegedly spent millions on drugs, escorts, exotic cars, and other luxury items. Lowell has stated that he repaid the full amount.

The trial is scheduled to begin in June, months before the November presidential election, which is expected to be close and divisive between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, both facing legal challenges.

Hunter Biden also faces a separate criminal case in Delaware over his alleged purchase of a handgun while using illegal drugs. He pleaded not guilty and made similar arguments to dismiss the charges in that case.

Special Counsel David Weiss, who brought both cases, accused Hunter Biden’s legal team of spreading “conspiracy theories.” The case revolves around Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings, which are under investigation for potential profit by Joe Biden.

Hunter Biden’s defense team argues that an earlier plea deal with prosecutors should bar the case. The deal, which was questioned by a federal judge last year, called for Hunter Biden to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax charges, but prosecutors say it was never finalized.