In a new development in Hunter Biden’s federal tax case in the Central District of California, the president’s son has entered a not guilty plea. This happened in a Thursday hearing in which his initial court appearance was combined with his arraignment and status conference.
Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to federal tax charges, with an initial trial date set for June 20. @mikememoli reports from outside the court house. pic.twitter.com/ersBQ2MA3C
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 11, 2024
When asked by District Judge Mark Scarsi if he understood the charges brought against him, Hunter replied, “I do, your honor.”
He then later rose from his seat to enter his plea, stating “not guilty” when asked about all nine counts.
Hunter is accused of perpetrating a four-year scheme to avoid paying the $1.4 million he owed in taxes. Instead, he allegedly used the money to fund an extravagant lifestyle. Prosecutors also alleged that he classified some personal expenses, including escort services, luxury vehicle rentals and luxury hotel stays, as business deductions.
According to the 56-page indictment, Hunter earned a gross income of over $7 million when he evaded taxes.
His trial is now set to begin on June 20 while a pre-trial hearing will be held on June 3 and pre-trial motions will be heard on March 27.
The tax charges against Hunter were brought against him by special counsel David Weiss. It became his second federal indictment, as he already faces three felony gun charges in Delaware in relation to unlawful possession of a firearm.
He also pleaded not guilty to the gun charges last October. As for the three firearm charges, prosecutors accuse Hunter of lying about his use of drugs when he was trying to buy a gun in 2018. If convicted in that case, he could get up to 25 years in prison.
Both of Hunter’s pleas came after a plea deal that could have helped him avoid a trial altogether blew up last year.
According to CBS News, a judge who was meant to sign off on the deal raised some questions about the deal, as he took issue with the deal’s diversion agreement, which would have gotten the president’s son’s gun charge dismissed on the condition that he stays off drugs and does not commit more crimes.