Attorney of IRS whistleblower challenges Justice Dept’s assertion of independence in Hunter Biden investigation, refuted by Justice Dept

Lawyer Questions Independence of DOJ’s Investigation into Hunter Biden

The lawyer representing an IRS whistleblower has raised concerns about the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) claim that its investigation into Hunter Biden has been free from political interference. The lawyer points to a series of events in April that he believes cast doubt on the DOJ’s assertion. These events occurred after the whistleblower came forward to Congress with allegations of preferential treatment in the Hunter Biden probe. A spokesperson for the DOJ described the communications and meetings as “routine.”

According to emails reviewed by CBS News, a senior DOJ official, Brad Weinsheimer, set up a phone call with the whistleblower’s lawyer, Mark Lytle, on April 25. Lytle says he was initially encouraged by the outreach from Weinsheimer, as it indicated an interest in learning about any wrongdoing in the Hunter Biden probe. However, Lytle claims that all hope for a fair investigation disappeared when IRS agents were removed from the case.

The following day, Weinsheimer met with U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who was overseeing the Hunter Biden investigation at the time, and Hunter Biden’s attorney, Chris Clark. The purpose and details of this meeting are not publicly known, but it occurred during a crucial phase of the investigation as plea negotiations were accelerating.

Weinsheimer, a career DOJ official with 32 years of experience, has served under both Republican and Democratic administrations. He has been involved in politically sensitive cases and has been a point of contact for the Hunter Biden investigation. In response to questions about Weinsheimer’s role in the case, a DOJ spokesperson stated that the department is committed to conducting its work with the highest standards of professional conduct and that communication with senior career officials is routine.

Lytle finds the timing of the meeting between Weinsheimer, Weiss, and Hunter Biden’s attorney significant. He believes it indicates that Weiss did not have complete authority to make decisions on the case, contrary to what Weiss and the attorney general have stated publicly. However, a source familiar with the discussions claims that the meeting had been scheduled weeks before the IRS whistleblower notified Congress. The source compares the meeting to those that took place between department officials and lawyers representing former President Donald Trump before charges were filed against him, implying that it was a standard procedure.

In congressional interviews, the IRS whistleblower and the lead case agent on the Hunter Biden probe confirmed that they were removed from the investigation at the request of the DOJ. They were not given a reason for their removal. After their removal, Lytle reached out to Weinsheimer for assistance but received no further interest. It remains unclear who made the decision to remove the team, and Lytle believes further explanation is needed.

CBS News reached out to Hunter Biden’s legal team for comment on the allegations made by the IRS whistleblowers and the potential impact on plea negotiations. There has been no immediate response from Hunter Biden’s legal team.

The plea agreement between federal prosecutors and Hunter Biden fell apart in July when a federal judge refused to sign off on the deal. The judge expressed concerns about irregularities and confusion surrounding the plea agreement. Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty, and the tax charges against him were dismissed to be brought in another venue.

The federal judge has ordered prosecutors and defense attorneys to provide an update next week. The developments in the case have raised questions about the independence of the DOJ’s investigation into Hunter Biden and its handling of whistleblowers’ allegations. This scrutiny comes amid ongoing political debates surrounding the Biden family’s business dealings.

Original Story at www.cbsnews.com – 2023-09-01 21:56:05