Hunter Biden has been indicted on multiple counts of tax evasion, marking the second time this year that President Joe Biden’s son has been charged by a special counsel investigating his personal and business dealings. Special counsel David Weiss stated that Biden engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019. Hunter Biden was charged with nine counts of failing to file and pay taxes, tax evasion, and filing false tax returns.
The new charges pose a challenge for Joe Biden as he seeks reelection and defends against a bid to impeach him on grounds that he benefitted from his son’s overseas business dealings. President Biden has expressed his support for his son despite the charges. The indictment claims that Hunter Biden spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle, drugs, escorts, luxury hotels, exotic cars, and other personal items instead of paying his taxes.
Additionally, Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the purchase of a handgun in 2018 while he was addicted to drugs. Republicans have opened an impeachment inquiry into what they claim is a Biden family criminal conspiracy. Hunter Biden has not been charged with any crimes related to his foreign business dealings. His life has been marked by alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction despite his education as a lawyer and lobbyist-turned-artist.