Joe Biden's Son Hunter Biden to Plead Guilty in Federal Tax Case to Avoid Trial

Hunter Biden, the second son of U.S. President Joe Biden, is set to plead guilty in a federal tax case in an effort to avoid a trial.

This development comes as part of a broader legal saga that has seen Hunter embroiled in multiple controversies and legal battles over the years.

Born Robert Hunter Biden on February 4, 1970, in Wilmington, Delaware, Hunter is an American attorney and businessman. He is the son of Joe Biden and his first wife, Neilia Hunter Biden, who tragically died in a car crash in 1972 along with their one-year-old daughter, Naomi. Hunter and his older brother Beau were also injured in the accident but survived.

Hunter Biden's legal troubles have been extensive. In June 2024, he was convicted on three federal firearms-related felony charges after admitting to "illegally owning a gun while a drug user." His tax affairs have been under federal criminal investigation since late 2018, culminating in the current tax evasion case.

Prosecutors allege that Hunter failed to pay $1.4 million in federal taxes and evaded taxes by filing returns with fraudulent business deductions. They also claim he spent his money on luxury cars, extravagant hotels, and sex workers instead of paying his due taxes.

In a bid to resolve the tax case, Hunter Biden's defense team, led by celebrity attorney Mark Geragos, announced in court that Hunter would plead guilty. This plea comes just before jury selection was scheduled to begin in downtown Los Angeles.

Prosecutor Leo Wise noted that this was the first time he had heard about a potential plea change, indicating that there had not been an agreement between the parties for a plea deal where some charges would be dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to others.

Hunter Biden's legal strategy appears to be aimed at avoiding a second criminal trial this year, following his conviction in Delaware. Despite the plea, Hunter maintains his innocence but will accept punishment to avoid the lengthy and public ordeal of a trial.

This move is seen as a pivotal step in resolving his ongoing legal issues, although it remains to be seen how it will impact his and his family's public image.

President Joe Biden has consistently stated that he will not pardon his son in either of his cases, maintaining a stance of non-interference despite the personal and political implications.

The resolution of Hunter's tax case is expected to draw considerable media attention, given the high-profile nature of the Biden family and the ongoing scrutiny they face.

Hunter Biden's personal life has also been marked by tumultuous relationships and public scandals. He has five children, including a son named Beau, born in March 2020 with his current wife, Melissa Cohen. His previous marriages and relationships, including a controversial relationship with his brother's widow, Hallie Olivere Biden, have often been subjects of media scrutiny.