Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, is confronting a serious legal challenge as he faces a nine-count criminal indictment for alleged tax evasion. The 56-page charge sheet accuses him of evading $1.4 million in taxes from 2016-19, painting a picture of an “extravagant lifestyle” funded by his illicit activities.
The allegations involve Hunter Biden’s actions during the time when his father served as US vice-president under Barack Obama. However, President Joe Biden is not implicated in any wrongdoing, nor is he mentioned in the latest indictment. Hunter Biden is separately facing federal charges related to firearms, adding to the legal complexities he is navigating.
The indictment outlines that Hunter Biden received a substantial income, exceeding $7 million between 2016 and 2020. These funds were primarily directed to business accounts associated with his company, Owasco, PC, and flowed through another company named Skaneateles, in which he held a 75% stake.
Prosecutors claim that Hunter Biden spent this money on an “extravagant lifestyle,” including drugs, escorts, luxury hotels, rental properties, exotic cars, clothing, and various personal items. The spending reportedly amounted to about $1 million in 2016, $1.4 million in 2017, $1.8 million in 2018, and $600,000 in 2019.
A significant portion of the allegations revolves around the deduction of personal expenses as business deductions to lower tax liabilities. Hunter Biden is accused of claiming luxury car rentals, hotels, academic tutoring for his daughter, payments to escorts and dancers, and other personal expenditures as business-related deductions.
The indictment also points to Hunter Biden’s own words in his memoir, “Beautiful Things,” where he allegedly detailed his lack of substantial business dealings in 2018 and instead highlighted his struggles with drug addiction during that period. Prosecutors argue that this contradicts the claims made on his tax returns regarding extensive business travel.
If convicted, Hunter Biden could face up to 17 years in prison. The legal troubles add further scrutiny to the Biden family, with the president’s son now facing legal challenges on multiple fronts.
Kiki Garba
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