Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden, surprised many by pleading guilty to federal tax charges on Thursday, just weeks before the U.S. presidential election.
Originally, Biden was set to face trial in a Los Angeles federal courthouse on charges that he failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes while indulging in lavish spending on drugs, sex workers, and luxury items. Instead of proceeding with the trial, Biden admitted guilt to all nine counts against him.
Judge Mark Scarsi informed Biden that his sentence could include up to 17 years in prison and fines of up to $450,000. Scarsi scheduled the sentencing for December 16. Typically, defendants who plead guilty enter into agreements with prosecutors to secure lighter sentences in exchange for avoiding trial, but this case did not follow that pattern.
Earlier in the day, Biden attempted to enter an “Alford plea,” which would have allowed him to plead guilty without admitting wrongdoing. Prosecutors rejected this strategy. After a recess, Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, announced to the court that Biden would plead guilty despite having no prior deal with prosecutors to reduce his sentence.
Following the hearing, Biden explained his decision to plead guilty, stating that he wanted to spare his family from the ordeal of a trial, which would have publicly exposed difficult aspects of his life, including his struggles with drug addiction. “For all I have put them through over the years, I can spare them this,” Biden said, adding that he had already paid his overdue taxes.
Lowell hinted that Biden might appeal the sentence but did not clarify why his client waited until the trial’s first day to enter a guilty plea. By pleading guilty, Biden avoided a trial that could have stretched for weeks during the heart of the election campaign, with voters set to choose on November 5 between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump. Joe Biden, under pressure from fellow Democrats, ended his re-election bid in July.
The indictment accused Hunter Biden of failing to pay taxes between 2016 and 2019, while spending large sums on drugs, escorts, luxury hotels, exotic cars, clothing, and other personal expenses.
A trial could have brought more attention to Biden’s controversial work with the Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma and other business ventures he pursued while his father served as vice president.
Republicans have repeatedly alleged corruption in these activities, though Hunter Biden has denied any wrongdoing. Congressional investigations led by Republicans have not directly implicated President Biden.
Hunter Biden also faces legal trouble in a separate case in Delaware, where a court convicted him of illegally purchasing a firearm while using drugs. That conviction could lead to a harsher sentence in the tax case, as it classifies him as a repeat offender. The White House has stated that President Biden will not pardon his son.
