Washington. Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges of failing to pay federal taxes, a surprise move that could spare his family a potentially embarrassing trial just weeks before the US presidential election. Hunter Biden was set to stand trial in Los Angeles federal court on criminal charges that he evaded $1.4 million in taxes while spending recklessly on drugs, sex workers and luxury items. Judge Mark Scarsi told Hunter Biden he could face up to 17 years in prison and a fine of up to $450,000. He set a sentencing date for December 16.
People who plead guilty in criminal cases usually reach a pre-arrangement deal with prosecutors to get a reduced sentence in exchange for avoiding a trial. Earlier in the day, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges but offered to avoid admitting wrongdoing, known as an Alford plea. Prosecutors opposed the move. After the break, Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, told the judge he would plead guilty even if there was no pre-arrangement deal with prosecutors to reduce his sentence.
The family was saved from prosecution
In a statement after the hearing, Hunter Biden said he pleaded guilty to save his family from a trial that would have revealed dirty details about the period of his life when he was suffering from drug addiction. He said, ‘I can save them from what they have had to endure for so many years because of me.’ Hunter Biden said he has paid his taxes.
Who forced Joe Biden to withdraw from the race? Conspiracy or willfulness… spoke openly for the first time, names came out
will appeal against the sentence
Hunter Biden’s lawyer Lowell later told reporters that Biden could appeal his sentence. When asked why Biden waited until the opening day of the trial to plead guilty, he did not answer. The guilty plea would halt a week-long trial, which would normally have taken place at the peak of the election season. It is worth noting that American voters will choose between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump on November 5.
Tags: America News, Joe Biden, Joe Biden
FIRST PUBLISHED : September 6, 2024, 10:09 IST
