A federal judge seemed unconvinced on Hunter Biden's lawyers' arguments that his tax evasion case should be dismissed because it is politically motivated.
According to CNN, Hunter's lawyers, who appeared in federal court in Los Angeles on Wednesday, accused the prosecutors of bowing down to political pressure from Republican lawmakers investigating his father, President Joe Biden.
Hunter Biden Asks Judge to Dismiss Tax Evasion Case
The 54-year-old son of Joe Biden was not present in the courtroom, but his lawyers argued that the case should be dismissed as prosecutors selectively targeted the president's son in response to Republican criticism.
At the hearing, US district judge Mark Scarsi asked whether Hunter Biden's lawyers had any evidence that prosecutors gave in to Republicans' pressure.
In particular, Scarsi asked Hunter's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, if they had any evidence other than the sequence of events related to the filing of charges after months of allegations by Republicans in Congress and former President Donald Trump claiming Hunter had been treated leniently.
Lowell then admitted that "it's a timeline, but it's a juicy timeline," The Guardian reported. Hunter's legal team also argued that prosecutors were pressured by two IRS agents who revealed the information about the president's son's tax returns last year.
However, Scarsi, who still appeared skeptical, told Lowell that some of his claims lacked hard evidence. The judge then said he would decide on the motions to junk the case by April 17.
Hunter Biden $1.4 Million Tax Evasion Case
Hunter Biden is accused of engaging in a scheme to avoid paying at least $1.4 million in taxes on income between 2016 and 2019 while spending millions of dollars on drugs, escorts, and cars, among others.
Hunter has pleaded not guilty but later admitted guilt to two tax misdemeanors after he agreed to a plea deal in which he would have avoided all jail time.
His lawyers said he had already paid back taxes and agreed to a diversion program on the gun charges in Delaware over his alleged purchase of a handgun while he was using illegal drugs.
However, a Delaware judge declined to accept the deal since it was unclear if it would resolve the tax case. Hunter also pleaded not guilty to the gun charges and made similar arguments to dismiss the case.
Special counsel David Weiss, who brought both cases, has accused Hunter's lawyers of spreading "conspiracy theories" about the prosecution.
He has said the Department of Justice would not act on the orders of GOP lawmakers, who are pursuing an impeachment investigation against Joe Biden.
The impeachment inquiry focuses on Hunter's business deals to prove that his father was involved and benefited from his business dealings. Since the inquiry started in September, there has been no evidence of any wrongdoing by the president.
Hunter was granted release under the same conditions outlined in the Delaware case, including no possession of any firearm as well as no alcohol or bond. But if convicted of the tax charges, he could receive a maximum of 17 years in prison. Scarsi has initially set a June 20 trial date for Hunter's tax evasion case.
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