CNN
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Federal prosecutors believe they can charge Hunter Biden with tax crimes and misrepresentation, but U.S. prosecutors in Delaware have yet to make a final decision, according to people familiar with the matter.
The case against Biden narrowed earlier this year, an issue discussed by FBI and IRS investigators, Delaware prosecutors and the Justice Department in early summer, CNN previously reported. The discussions included assessing the strength of the case and questioning whether more work needs to be done before the charges can be decided, according to sources who spoke to CNN in July.
Prosecutors have yet to make any charging decisions in the case and have not met to discuss a federal investigation since early summer, according to two sources familiar with the matter. A decision is not expected before the midterm elections.
A source familiar with the matter told CNN that talks between Biden’s team and the Justice Department have been going on for months, but nothing has changed on that front for months.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Biden’s legal team has met with Justice Department prosecutors in “recent weeks” to fight a possible case.
Biden’s attorney Chris Clark said: “As appropriate and required by law, we believe that the prosecutors in this case carefully and thoroughly weighed not only the evidence presented by the agents, but all other witnesses in this case, including those for the defense. .” Written statement to The Wall Street Journal.
The Washington Post reported Thursday that prosecutors believe they have “sufficient evidence” to charge President Joe Biden’s son Biden in two areas — tax crimes and false statements about gun purchases, CNN The same crime the Web reported in July was the focus or discussions between investigators and the Justice Department.
Multiple people familiar with the matter previously told CNN that investigators have repeatedly asked about various aspects of Hunter Biden’s life — initially focusing on tax issues and money transfers related to Chinese business activities.
But prosecutors also reviewed a 2018 incident in which a gun owned by Biden ended up being thrown into a Wilmington dumpster by his then-girlfriend, a person familiar with the matter said. Biden said in interviews with the media last year that he was addicted to drugs, raising the possibility that he would violate federal law when he bought firearms.
Federal law prohibits anyone who uses or is addicted to illegal drugs from purchasing a firearm.
Still, Biden has discussed his own drug abuse struggles publicly, and some judicial officials have debated whether a public discussion about his past drug use could weaken their case if they brought up a case.
Biden has also denied wrongdoing in his business activities.
In a statement issued by his father’s presidential transition office in late 2020, after being notified of the investigation by the U.S. Attorney in Delaware, he said: “I take this matter very seriously, but A professional and objective review will demonstrate that I have handled my affairs lawfully and properly, including with the help of professional tax advisors.”
At the same time, the president has repeatedly said he will not interfere with the independence of the Justice Department. Early in his presidency, Biden decided to keep David Weiss, the U.S. Attorney appointed by former President Donald Trump, to continue overseeing the Delaware investigation.