Hunter Biden could face trial as US special counsel named
- Prosecutor David Weiss, who has been handling the case, was given additional authority for his investigation, after talks on a potential plea deal stalled
- The US could see the son of a sitting president facing trial while his father campaigns for re-election against Trump, himself indicted on criminal charges
US President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden may be headed for trial on criminal charges after talks on a potential plea deal reached impasse, the newly named US Special Counsel in the case, David Weiss, said on Friday.
Moments earlier, US Attorney General Merrick Garland elevated Weiss, the federal prosecutor who has been handling the case, to special counsel status, which would give him additional authority to continue his investigation.
Republicans in Congress have threatened an impeachment inquiry into unproven claims that Biden benefited from his 54-year-old son’s business ventures.
Weiss filed misdemeanour criminal tax and gun charges against Hunter Biden in June and both parties reached a proposed plea deal. But a federal judge refused to accept the deal. Weiss said in a court filing on Friday that the two sides are at an impasse and a trial is likely.
Hunter Biden in July pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to pay taxes on more than US$1.5 million in income in 2017 and 2018 despite owing more than US$100,000, prosecutors allege. He did not enter a plea in a separate case where he is charged with unlawfully owning a firearm while using illegal drugs, which is a felony.
