A federal judge in California refused Monday to dismiss the tax evasion case against Hunter Biden.
Judge Denies the Request of Hunter Biden to Dismiss the Tax Charges
According to the Associated Press, US district judge Mark Scarsi junked all eight of Hunter Biden's motions seeking to get the tax charges against him dismissed.
The 54-year-old son of President Joe 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 already pleaded not guilty to the nine felony and misdemeanor tax offenses filed in Los Angeles, California.
His attorney, Abbe Lowell, argued that the federal prosecutors caved to Republicans' pressure, in addition to other arguments related to the timing of the charges, the appointment of the special counsel overseeing the case, and leaks from two IRS agents who testified before Congress.
However, Scarsi found none of the arguments convincing. In his 82-page ruling, Scarsi wrote: "Defendant fails to present a reasonable inference, let alone clear evidence, of discriminatory effect and discriminatory purpose."
"Defendant offers only conjecture about animus motivating the prosecutorial decisions in this case. The circumstantial allegations of animus he offers are thin," the judge added, as the New York Post reported.
Reaction of Hunter Biden's Camp Regarding the Judge's Decision on the Tax Charges
In a statement, Abbe Lowell disagreed with the judge's decision and maintained that the handling of the case was not normal.
"We strongly disagree with the court's decision and will continue to vigorously pursue Mr. Biden's challenges," Lowell noted.
The ruling came after a three-hour hearing last week, during which Scarsi, a former President Donald Trump appointee, seemed unconvinced of Hunter Biden's lawyers' arguments that his tax evasion case should be dismissed because it is politically motivated.
Prosecutors, on the other hand, countered the claims as pretty far-fetched. The trial is tentatively scheduled to start on June 20 with jury selection.
Hunter also faces a separate criminal case in federal court in Delaware over his alleged purchase of a handgun while he was using illegal drugs. The president's son also pleaded not guilty to the gun charges and made similar arguments to dismiss the case.
If convicted of the tax charges, Hunter could receive a maximum of 17 years in prison.
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