Hunter Biden pled guilty in a Los Angeles courtroom Thursday afternoon to all of the charges brought against him in a federal indictment related to failure to pay income taxes and tax evasion from 2016 to 2019. In accepting the plea, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Scarsi told Biden that he faces a maximum punishment of 17 years in prison and a fine of between $500,000 and $1 million. (Scarsi initially said 15 years but later corrected himself.)
Sentencing will be held at a later date, after court officials, prosecutors, and the defense team present their recommendations to the court.
This is a breaking news story. Additional updates will be provided as they become available.
UPDATED 11:50 AM PDT:
When proceedings reconvened in Hunter Biden’s federal tax fraud trial at 11 AM Thursday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Leo Wise told District Court Judge Mark Scarsi that the government does not have a plea deal with Biden, and that they argue the court should not accept an Alford plea from him.
Wise argued:
Hunter Biden is not innocent. Hunter Biden is guilty. He is not entitled to plead guilty on special terms…. We have not negotiated this outcome with the defense. We were as shocked as everyone in the courtroom when they made that announcement.
We did speak briefly with defense counsel during the break and it is not clear to us what they are trying to do.
Wise informed the court that the government “[W]ill not under any circumstances agree to an Alford plea. We think it’s an injustice.” But, he said, “If we go forward today, we will read the entire indictment into the record as being the evidence that we would prove at trial.”
Defense attorney Abbe Lowell said Biden would not agree to the truth of every single fact asserted in the indictment/proffer, but would tell the court that he believes the government would present evidence sufficient for a jury to find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Lowell confirmed that Biden does not intend to admit guilt.
Will most likely go to a federal country club prison with golf courses, and will be able to come and go at will as long as he reports back each evening. Good behavior he will be out in less that six months!
Daddy will pardon him.
Don’t worry dumbocrats…Daddy will pardon him for what he’s already been convicted of and all future crimes…
Never happen!