Federal prosecutors have let slip that they’re considering bringing up to four charges, one a felony, against Hunter Biden.
Two sources familiar with internal deliberations told NBC News that the embattled son of President Joe Biden may be facing three misdemeanor counts of tax evasion and one felony gun charge related to a false statement he may have given to authorities. The sources cited “growing frustration” that despite conclusions to the investigations by the IRS and FBI over a year ago that charges have still not been brought.
U.S. Attorney David Weiss, an appointee of President Donald Trump who was retained by the current president, is ultimately responsible for making a decision on the matter. The IRS Criminal Investigation division, the Justice Department, the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware all declined to comment.
Misdemeanor tax evasion with the IRS carries a fine of up to $250,000 per offense, and making a false statement to the FBI carries a sentence of up to five years in prison.
The investigation into Hunter Biden, who has struggled publicly with drug addiction, began in 2018 when investigators began probing his business relationships involving foreign companies attempting to gain a foothold in U.S. government relations. The younger Biden, along with associate Rob Walker and other family members, earned at least $11 million during his father’s time in the vice presidency and thereafter by partnering with the state-owned Bank of China as well as foreign companies tied to the country’s communist government.
Since taking control of Congress in January, House Republicans have expanded their investigation into Hunter Biden’s business dealings in an attempt to uncover whether President Biden was aware and helped in any way to facilitate them.
A whistleblower with the IRS recently told the House Oversight Committee that the agency’s investigation is being mishandled, citing evidence at odds with testimony from political appointees and detailing examples of preferential treatment for high-profile individuals under investigation.