Hunter Biden’s Plea Deal Temporarily Delayed by Judge

Biden was charged last month with two misdemeanor tax crimes for failing to pay over $100,000 in taxes on income exceeding $1.5 million in both 2017 and 2018. Initially, he was expected to plead guilty after reaching an agreement with prosecutors, who were planning to recommend two years of probation. However, the deal is now postponed. During the hearing on Wednesday, a dispute arose in court regarding whether the initial agreement granted him immunity against future charges. Judge Noreika, appointed by former President Trump, expressed concerns about the wording of the deal.

Biden also faced a felony charge for possessing a firearm as a known drug user. In October 2018, he possessed a Colt Cobra .38 Special for 11 days. He had entered into a diversion agreement, which meant he wouldn’t technically plead guilty to the crime. If he complies with the agreement’s terms, the case will be expunged from his record. Failure to do so will result in the withdrawal of the deal. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The overlapping agreements caused confusion for the judge, who emphasized the need to untangle the issues before proceeding. She remarked, “It seems to me like you are saying ‘just rubber stamp the agreement, Your Honor.’ This seems to be form over substance.”

The collapse of the proceedings came as a surprise considering the careful negotiation that took place over weeks between the Justice Department prosecutors and Biden’s lawyers. The intention was to resolve the matter for Hunter Biden and avoid a trial that would generate distracting headlines for weeks or months. However, the political landscape remains messy, with Republicans insisting that Biden received preferential treatment while the Justice Department continues investigations into Trump, the GOP’s leading candidate for the 2024 presidential primary. (Read more Hunter Biden stories.)