A federal judge denied Hunter Biden’s bid to dismiss the tax charges against him, setting the stage for his trial next month in California. Citing a ruling in Florida that threw out a prosecution of former President Trump, Biden’s lawyers urged the judge to dismiss the case accusing him of a four-year scheme to avoid paying at least $1.4 million in taxes, reports the Associated Press. In Florida, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon tossed Trump's classified documents case last month because she said special counsel Jack Smith, who filed the charges, was illegally appointed by the Justice Department. The Justice Department is appealing. Biden’s lawyers had argued the same logic should apply in his case, which was brought by a different special counsel.
U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi noted that he had already rejected a previous challenge by Biden to the appointment of special counsel David Weiss. The judge said there is “no valid basis for reconsideration” of that decision. Scarsi had accused 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. A hearing is set for Wednesday, when the judge is expected to hear arguments over what evidence the prosecution and defense can present to jurors. Biden was convicted in June of three felony charges in a separate federal case stemming from the purchase of a gun.
Comments