There were numerous accusations made during a Wednesday hearing regarding the federal tax charges against Hunter Biden, however, U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi was particularly concerned about the lack of evidence linking the charges to the efforts of congressional Republicans to investigate the financial affairs of the Biden family.
During the Los Angeles hearing, Scarsi did not reach a decision but indicated that the defense arguments suggesting the Biden administration’s Justice Department was acting on behalf of former President Donald Trump were unconvincing, as reported by CNN.
Scarsi, who is currently reviewing nine motions from Hunter Biden’s legal team, stated that he would deliver a verdict by April 17, according to The Washington Post. One motion alleging “selective and vindictive” prosecution seemed to annoy the judge.
“One of the big hurdles that this motion has is that it’s not filed with any evidence,” Scarsi said.
“We are just looking at the facts and law,” the judge said. “All of the aspersions cast off one another just roll off.”
If Scarsi rules against Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s son will be scheduled for trial in June. There is also the possibility of reaching a settlement with the prosecutors. However, the previous agreement made with Hunter Biden resulted in a major controversy in July, which ultimately led to his attorneys appearing in court on Wednesday in California.
According to Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, it is unjust that his client, who initially faced misdemeanor charges in a plea deal that sparked outrage among Republicans, is now being confronted with three felony charges and six additional misdemeanors. Lowell argues that these more severe charges are evidence that special prosecutor David Weiss, who previously served as the U.S. attorney for Delaware and oversaw the initial investigation into Hunter Biden, succumbed to the pressure exerted by congressional Republicans during a public campaign.
In response, Scarsi questioned whether the attorney had any further evidence or connections beyond mere timing to support these claims.
“It’s a timeline,” Lowell said. “But it’s a juicy timeline.”
Prosecutor Leo Wise emphasized that after the plea deal fell through, the Justice Department was no longer obligated to adhere to its conditions. The discussion also touched upon an immunity agreement that was included in the original settlement to resolve tax and gun charges against Hunter Biden, with Biden’s legal team arguing that it should still be valid. However, according to the New York Post, neither the judge nor Delaware Chief U.S. Probation Officer Margaret Bray ever signed the agreement, leading former Biden defense attorney Christopher Clark to declare it as “null and void.” Wise pointed out that it was Biden’s team that changed their stance, not the government.
“There was a good faith belief that Mr. Biden was going to plead guilty,” he said.
