The Hunter Biden plea deal fell apart in court in spectacular fashion today! The Judge asked question after question, because she knows – like we all do – this was a corrupt deal to let Hunter Biden off with a slap on the wrist. But it was a surprise to all that it fell apart, and Hunter Biden ended up having to plead “Not Guilty.”
A federal judge’s upending of Hunter Biden’s plans to wind up his legal troubles before his father’s 2024 re-election campaign has heightened the legal peril for President Biden’s son and could give the president’s political opponents fresh ammunition in their scrutiny of the first family.
In an extraordinary courtroom drama, the judge expressed concerns about a proposed plea deal under which the younger Biden would have likely served no time in prison in exchange for a guilty plea on two tax charges, and avoided a gun charge by agreeing to remain drug-free and never own a firearm again.
Instead of the carefully choreographed way most plea deals roll out, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika refused to approve either the tax or the gun agreement, saying they contained “atypical provisions” and needed further study. And Justice Department lawyers left open the possibility that the president’s son could face additional charges, including related to his foreign lobbying, prompting a disagreement with defense attorneys. . . . .
After a five-year investigation and with a plea agreement signed weeks ago, the two sides entered the courtroom on very different pages. When Noreika asked what would happen if she were to reject the plea, Wise said they would try Hunter Biden on the tax offenses and raised the possibility of additional charges related to his taxes.
“I am not aware of any additional charges that could validly be brought,” Clark told the judge. “We’ve spent five years in meeting after meeting—10-hour meetings—going through my client’s taxes on a line-by-line basis, and this was the disposition both parties came to.”
The judge asked if the continuing investigation could yield additional charges such as violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
“Yes,” Wise replied.
Noreika gave both sides 30 days to provide additional information. At that point, the younger Biden could plead guilty and formalize the agreements he had negotiated. If the judge declines to approve the deal, he would likely proceed to a court trial. . . . . .
WALL STREET JOURNAL