Biden's son pleads guilty to tax evasion and gun charges

The Justice Department's announcement comes as President Biden is in the midst of a re-election campaign that could pit him against former President Donald Trump, who as president asked the Chinese and Ukrainian governments to investigate Hunter Biden's activities in their countries.

Hunter Biden (center) greets people on the street when he and US President Joe Biden visited the Republic of Ireland in April this year. Photo: Reuters

Hunter Biden, 53, received more than $1.5 million in taxable income in 2017 and 2018 but did not pay income taxes in those years, according to court records. Hunter Biden has worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, consultant for foreign companies, an investment banker and an entertainer.

Hunter Biden is also charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm between about October 12 and October 23, 2018, while using a controlled substance, the Justice Department said.

For the gun charge, Hunter Biden entered into a pretrial agreement, an alternative to prosecution sometimes used to allow defendants to avoid jail time or a criminal conviction.

“I understand that the five-year investigation into Hunter has been resolved,” Hunter’s attorney, Christopher Clark, said in a statement. “I know Hunter believes it is important to take responsibility for the mistakes he made during a difficult period in his life.”

"The President and First Lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life. We will have no further comment," White House spokesman Ian Sams said in a statement on Tuesday.

Hunter Biden could face 12 to 18 months in prison for the tax evasion charges. However, the likelihood of him being sentenced to prison is low, given the amount of tax he lost, being a first-time offender and his apparent remorse for his actions.

President Biden has two surviving children, Hunter Biden and daughter Ashley Biden. His son Beau Biden died of cancer in 2015 and his daughter, Naomi Biden, died as a child in a car accident that also killed Biden’s first wife.

Hunter Biden is considered the first child of a sitting US president to be indicted, according to Aaron Crawford, a presidential historian at the University of Tennessee.

Bui Huy (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/con-trai-cua-tong-thong-biden-nhan-toi-tron-thue-va-toi-su-dung-sung-post252530.html