Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges on Thursday in a Los Angeles courtroom.
The charges come after a lengthy investigation into Biden’s finances, during which he leveraged his family name to secure overseas consulting contracts, failing to pay taxes while battling drug and alcohol addiction.
This guilty plea marks a significant moment in a five-year federal investigation and comes three months after Hunter Biden’s gut-wrenching gun trial in Delaware.
In a statement, Biden, 54, explained his decision to plead guilty, saying he did not want to subject his family to further distress and public humiliation.
“There was only one path left for me,” Biden said. “I will not subject my family to more pain, more invasions of privacy, and needless embarrassment.”
Unlike his previous case, this plea did not involve a negotiated deal. Biden’s defense team, aware that they would likely not win at trial, advised the guilty plea, which exposes him to significant prison time.
Hunter Biden could face up to 17 years in prison or a fine of up to $1.3 million. Additionally, he still faces a potential 25-year sentence related to his conviction for lying on a firearms application in Delaware earlier this year.
During the court proceedings, Judge Mark C. Scarsi asked Biden to confirm his guilt on the nine charges. Biden responded with the word “guilty” nine times. He will remain free on bond until his sentencing, scheduled for mid-December.
The decision to plead guilty signals a dramatic shift from last year when Biden’s lawyers were on the verge of securing a plea deal that would have spared him from any prison time. That deal collapsed during a chaotic hearing in Wilmington, Delaware, in July, when Special Counsel David C. Weiss, who led the investigation, indicted Biden on charges related to tax violations and a firearms offence.
In the Los Angeles courtroom, the atmosphere was tense. Prosecutor Leo J. Wise expressed frustration at the defence’s suggestion that the case had been influenced by political factors. “This idea that he’s a victim of this process is offensive,” Wise said. “We have afforded him the same right as any American.”
Hunter Biden had tried to offer an Alford plea in the past. This plea would have allowed him to maintain his innocence while acknowledging that the evidence against him was strong enough for a conviction. However, prosecutors turned down the offer and insisted that Biden take full responsibility for the charges.
The investigation into Hunter Biden’s financial dealings has been a source of political controversy, with Republicans attempting to use it to damage President Biden’s reputation. Despite exhaustive efforts by GOP lawmakers to link the president to his son’s business activities, prosecutors have made it clear there is no evidence of any wrongdoing by President Biden during his time as vice president.
Although Hunter Biden’s legal battles have receded somewhat from the spotlight since President Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race in July, the personal stakes for the younger Biden have never been higher. His legal team is expected to argue for a lenient sentence, likely seeking probation instead of prison, citing his five years of sobriety and his efforts to pay back taxes and penalties.
For Hunter Biden, the decision to avoid trial stemmed from concerns about the emotional toll another public spectacle could have on his family. His defense team feared that key witnesses, including former romantic partners and even his daughters, could be called to testify in the tax case, just as they were in the gun trial. This gave prosecutors significant leverage during plea negotiations.
In contrast to the packed courtroom in Wilmington for his earlier trial, Thursday’s proceedings in Los Angeles were more subdued.
Hunter Biden’s wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, and close friend Kevin Morris were among the few supporters present. When Judge Scarsi asked Biden whether he had committed each crime, his wife leaned forward in the gallery, listening closely to Biden’s response, “Yes.”
After the proceedings, Biden and his wife left the courthouse hand-in-hand, declining to answer questions from reporters.
As the legal process continues, the president’s press secretary has made it clear that Hunter Biden should not expect a pardon. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, she reiterated, “It’s still very much a no” when asked about the possibility of clemency for the president’s son.
The plea deal, the collapse of previous negotiations, and the potential for a significant prison sentence highlight the culmination of years of legal and personal turmoil for Hunter Biden. The upcoming sentencing in December will determine the full extent of the consequences he will face for his actions.
