Hunter Biden’s hearing took an unexpected turn on Wednesday as the original plea agreement fell apart, leaving President Joe Biden’s son in limbo. Hunter Biden was set to plead guilty to federal tax crimes, admitting to failing to pay between $1.1 million and $1.5 million in federal taxes. The plea deal would have recommended a sentence of probation and resolved a federal firearms offense. However, as the hearing progressed, disagreements arose between the parties involved, specifically regarding whether the deal protected Hunter Biden from additional charges for illegal foreign lobbying. The judge ultimately declared that she was not ready to accept the plea deal, prompting Hunter Biden to enter a not guilty plea.
The hearing began with Hunter Biden under oath, expressing his intention to plead guilty. However, as US District Judge Maryellen Noreika questioned the lawyers about the details of the tax deal, it became clear that there was a disagreement about whether Hunter Biden could face charges for illegal foreign lobbying. This disagreement jeopardized the plea agreement, and it seemed on the verge of collapsing. Hunter Biden’s lawyer requested a short recess to consult with the prosecutors, and after the break, announced that they were accepting the Justice Department’s position that Hunter Biden was still at risk of possible charges. The plea agreement seemed to be back on track, and the judge addressed the separate gun deal.
The gun charge against Hunter Biden revolves around an illegal purchase he made in 2018 while being an illegal drug user. However, Judge Noreika expressed concerns about the constitutionality of the gun deal, questioning its compliance with separation of powers principles. She also criticized the structure of the plea deals, where she had no powers to approve or reject the tax agreement but would be involved in any disputes regarding the gun deal. The judge expressed frustration with this arrangement and said she could not accept the plea agreement that day.
Both parties were asked to file additional legal briefs defending the constitutionality of the plea deal addressing the firearms charges. The next steps are unclear at this time, as it is up to Judge Noreika to decide how to proceed. She could schedule another hearing for oral arguments to address the complex constitutional questions, or she could issue a written ruling accepting the explanations and agreeing to move forward with the guilty plea. Additionally, Noreika has the ultimate decision on the sentence Hunter Biden will receive if a plea deal is accepted or if he is tried and convicted.
The unraveling of the plea agreement in court has opened the door for congressional Republicans to further investigate Hunter Biden’s actions. GOP lawmakers were critical of the Justice Department’s deal and hope that the new developments will strengthen their probe into the president. This turn of events also adds intrigue to the potential testimony of Delaware’s Trump-appointed US Attorney David Weiss before the House Judiciary Committee. Weiss has agreed to testify publicly about the ongoing criminal probe into Hunter Biden, although the recent developments may delay his appearance.
Overall, Wednesday’s hearing for Hunter Biden was far from routine, with the plea agreement nearly collapsing and leaving him in a state of uncertainty. The judge’s decision on how to proceed and the potential impact on Hunter Biden’s sentencing, as well as the ongoing investigations by congressional Republicans, will continue to keep the spotlight on this controversial issue.
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-07-27 12:02:00
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