A federal judge has issued a warning to Hunter Biden's legal team, criticizing them for allegedly making false statements in their recent motion to dismiss his federal tax indictment. District Judge Mark Scarsi expressed concern over what he described as misrepresentations of the case's history by Hunter Biden's lawyers.
According to Judge Scarsi, the dispute centers around claims made by Hunter Biden's attorneys that special counsel David Weiss did not bring any charges against him during his tenure as US attorney before becoming special counsel. However, Scarsi clarified that Weiss did, in fact, charge Hunter Biden with tax offenses prior to assuming the role of special counsel.
Scarsi emphasized the significance of the inaccuracies in the motion, stating that he has 'little tolerance for lack of candor.' He has given Hunter Biden's legal team one week to provide an explanation for the alleged false statements or face potential sanctions, such as professional disciplinary proceedings or monetary fines.
The motion to dismiss the indictment was based on the argument that special counsels like Weiss are unconstitutionally appointed and unlawfully funded. Hunter Biden's lawyers referenced a previous ruling by District Judge Aileen Cannon, who supported this argument in a case involving former President Donald Trump's classified documents.
However, Judge Scarsi noted a key distinction between Hunter Biden's case and Trump's, highlighting that Hunter Biden was initially charged by a US attorney before facing charges from a special counsel. This distinction, according to Scarsi, is significant in evaluating the legal arguments presented.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to the tax evasion and related offenses. His trial is scheduled to commence in September. In a separate trial last month, Hunter Biden was convicted of three felonies related to the illegal possession of a firearm while addicted to drugs.
