Hunter Biden to plead guilty to federal tax crimes, strikes deal on gun charge  

Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, plans to plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors and struck a deal with prosecutors over a separate felony gun charge, the Justice Department said on Tuesday. 

“Hunter will take responsibility for two instances of misdemeanor failure to file tax payments when due pursuant to a plea agreement,” Hunter Biden’s attorney Christopher Clark said in a statement. “A firearm charge, which will be subject to a pretrial diversion agreement and will not be the subject of the plea agreement, will also be filed by the Government.”

Hunter Biden, 53, was charged with two counts of failing to pay taxes, owing at least $100,000 in federal taxes for 2017 and $100,000 in 2018 on over $1.5 million in income. The charge usually carries a maximum penalty of a year in prison. 

As part of the plea agreement, the Justice Department agreed to recommend a sentence of probation for the two misdemeanor tax charges. According to sources familiar with the investigation, the Justice Department will recommend 24 months of probation, signaling that Hunter Biden will not spend time in prison. However, the final decision will be up to the judge. 

The pre-trial agreement will also spare him prosecution for illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user. The count carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison. 

The deal brings a years-long investigation by the Justice Dept. into the president’s second son, who has struggled with drug addiction. The federal probe into Hunter Biden began in 2018 and was made public in 2020 when he received a subpoena regarding his business dealings.

“I know Hunter believes it is important to take responsibility for these mistakes he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life. He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward,” Clark said about his client. 

The White House issued a brief statement on the matter, saying that President Joe Biden and his wife “love their son.” 

“The president and first lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life. We will have no further comment,” said White House spokesman Ian Sams.

Republicans on Tuesday said that Hunter Biden is getting away with a “slap on the wrist,” in contrast to the recent 37-count indictment against former president Donald Trump. Hunter Biden’s agreement with the Justice Department comes days after former president Donald Trump was indicted for mishandling classified documents in his Florida home.