David Weiss, U.S. attorney for the District of Delaware, is disputing claims that a plea agreement with Hunter Biden resolves the case.
President Joe Biden’s son Hunter has been the subject of a five-year investigation on tax evasion and gun possession charges.
Earlier on Tuesday, officials announced that Hunter Biden had agreed to plead guilty to two counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax. In addition to the tax misdemeanors, Hunter also agreed to enter into a pretrial diversion agreement for a separate firearm possession charge by a person unlawfully using or addicted to controlled substances.
Chris Clark, Hunter’s attorney, stated, “With the announcement of two agreements between my client, Hunter Biden, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware, it is my understanding that the five-year investigation into Hunter is resolved.”
David Weiss asserts the investigation is “ongoing” and “has not yet been concluded.”
Clark stated: “Hunter will take responsibility for two instances of misdemeanor failure to file tax payments when due pursuant to a plea agreement.”
Hunter’s attorney added: “The firearm charge … will be subject to a pretrial diversion agreement and will not be the subject of the plea agreement.”
Weiss, who initiated the investigation in 2018, was nominated by former President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. Attorney in Delaware in 2017 and was confirmed by the Senate in early 2018.
Weiss stated his decision to charge Hunter Biden culminated from a comprehensive examination of his financial activities tied to foreign business associations and consulting work.
The Biden administration requested that Weiss continue leading the Hunter Biden investigation. Many suggest the decision to retain Weiss was calculated to avoid potential political backlash as the investigation involves the president’s son.
Attorney General Merrick Garland has assured the public that Weiss was to be granted full autonomy over the case.
Former President Donald Trump harshly criticized the plea agreement, calling it a mere “traffic ticket” and claiming the agreement evidences political bias and corruption within the DOJ. Trump wrote on Truth Social:
“They gave him a traffic ticket and cleared everything up. It is a disgrace to the system, it is a disgrace to America, it is a very unfair situation, it is prosecutorial misconduct, and it is election interference — all wrapped up into one.”
Weiss suggested the investigation must remain open while officials investigate allegations of a $10 million “bribery” scheme involving Hunter and President Joe Biden, an executive of a Ukrainian energy company.
The allegations come from an FBI whistleblower who has provided documents and testimony to the House Oversight Committee.
