During an hours-long hearing on Wednesday, prosecutors and defense attorneys clashed over motions to dismiss criminal tax evasion charges against Hunter Biden, the son of President Biden. The first son did not appear in federal court in Los Angeles, but his attorney argued in favor of dismissing what he claimed were politically motivated charges.
The tax charges against Hunter Biden stemmed from a years-long investigation conducted by Special Counsel David Weiss. The defense attorney argued that the government was engaging in an unusual prosecution, turning misdemeanor charges into felonies.
Special Counsel Attorney Leo Wise countered the defense's arguments, calling them 'fact-free pleadings' and accusing the defense of attacking the prosecutors without basis. The judge presiding over the case, Mark Scarsi, intervened multiple times during the heated exchanges.
Scarsi announced that he plans to rule on the motions to dismiss the tax charges by April 17 and scheduled a pre-trial hearing for May 29. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to all nine federal tax charges and is set to go on trial starting June 20.
The charges against Hunter Biden allege a 'four-year scheme' in which he failed to pay federal income taxes from 2017 to 2020 and filed false tax reports. The indictment accuses him of evading taxes and not paying over $1.4 million in owed taxes, which have since been paid.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Hunter Biden's relation to President Biden, with both sides vigorously arguing their positions in court. The outcome of the motions to dismiss will determine the next steps in the legal proceedings against Hunter Biden.
