A federal judge on Monday denied Hunter Biden‘s latest bid to dismiss the tax charges against him, setting the stage for his trial to begin next month in California. Citing a ruling in Florida that threw out a separate prosecution of former President Donald Trump, Hunter Biden’s lawyers had urged the judge to dismiss the case accusing him of a four-year scheme to avoid paying at least $1.4 million in taxes.
Quick Read
- Judge Denies Hunter Biden’s Bid to Dismiss Tax Charges: A federal judge rejected Hunter Biden’s attempt to dismiss tax charges against him, setting the stage for his trial to begin in California next month.
- Hunter Biden’s Legal Argument: Biden’s lawyers cited a recent ruling that dismissed a prosecution of former President Donald Trump, arguing the same logic should apply to his case.
- Judge’s Response: U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi, appointed by Trump, dismissed the argument, stating there was “no valid basis for reconsideration” and noted Biden’s previous challenge to the appointment of special counsel David Weiss had already been rejected.
- False Statements Allegation: The judge accused Hunter Biden’s lawyers of making “false statements” in their filing, particularly regarding the timing of the charges against Biden.
- Sanctions Avoided, But Warning Issued: While the judge decided not to sanction the defense after they amended their filing, he issued an admonition emphasizing the importance of candor in court.
- Upcoming Hearing: A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday to discuss what evidence will be allowed during the trial.
- Previous Conviction: This tax case marks Hunter Biden’s second criminal trial in recent months, following his June conviction on felony charges related to a 2018 gun purchase.
The Associated Press has the story:
Judge knocks down Hunter Biden’s bid to use Trump ruling to get his fed. tax case dismissed
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
A federal judge on Monday denied Hunter Biden‘s latest bid to dismiss the tax charges against him, setting the stage for his trial to begin next month in California. Citing a ruling in Florida that threw out a separate prosecution of former President Donald Trump, Hunter Biden’s lawyers had urged the judge to dismiss the case accusing him of a four-year scheme to avoid paying at least $1.4 million in taxes.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon tossed Trump’s classified documents case last month because she said special counsel Jack Smith, who filed those charges, was illegally appointed by the Justice Department. The Justice Department is appealing that ruling.
Hunter Biden’s lawyers had argued the same logic should apply in his case, which was brought by a different Justice Department special counsel.
But U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi noted in his ruling that he had already rejected a previous challenge by Hunter Biden to the appointment of special counsel David Weiss. The judge said there is “no valid basis for reconsideration” of that decision.
Scarsi, who was appointed to the bench by Trump, had accused Hunter Biden’s lawyers of making “false statements” in their court filing urging the judge to dismiss the case. At issue was a defense comment that no charges were brought in the investigation until after Weiss was named special counsel in August 2023.
The judge noted that Weiss had not yet been named special counsel when he charged Hunter Biden with misdemeanor tax offenses as part of a plea deal that fell apart last year. Scarsi ordered Hunter Biden’s lawyers to explain why they should not be sanctioned.
Hunter Biden’s lawyers responded that they have “never tried to mislead” the court. In his order Monday, the judge said he would not sanction defense lawyers after they amended their filing. But the judge wrote that the defense’s “conduct warrants an admonition: candor is paramount.”
A hearing in the case is set for Wednesday, when the judge is expected to hear arguments over what evidence the prosecution and defense can present to jurors. It’s the second criminal trial in just months against the president’s son, who was convicted in June of three felony charges in a separate federal case stemming from the purchase of a gun in 2018.
