Hunter Biden is expected to request a federal judge in California to delay his tax trial until September.
The legal team of Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, applied to the judge on Wednesday (May 22) to postpone the trial that was scheduled to start next month in Los Angeles. He is accused of conspiring to evade taxes involving an amount of 1.4 million US dollars.
According to reports from The Associated Press, Hunter Biden is seeking to delay the trial date set for June 20 to as early as September, as he is also facing federal gun charges trial in Delaware on June 3. He faces two counts of false statements – falsely claiming no drug use or addiction and holding a firearm as a drug user.
Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to the two charges brought by Special Prosecutor David Weiss and has accused the prosecutions of being politically motivated.
His defense attorneys stated that they are unable to adequately prepare for both trials simultaneously, hence the requests for postponement and dismissals in both cases.
If Judge Mark C. Scarsi does not agree to postpone the trial in California, Hunter Biden may face two federal trials simultaneously next month.
Judge Scarsi, appointed by former President Trump, will hear arguments regarding the prosecution’s opposition to the delay request. The defense is also working to halt the proceedings in both cases, arguing that the prosecutor’s funding was not duly approved by Congress.
Hunter Biden’s lawyers emphasized that this case is under “high scrutiny”. However, the prosecution believes that media coverage does not hinder the defense’s trial preparation process, describing the case as a “simple tax matter”.
The Special Prosecutor’s team stated in recent court filings, “He (Hunter Biden) should not be above the law and should face trial like any other defendant.”
The indictment accuses Hunter Biden of failing to pay at least 1.4 million US dollars in taxes over four years while living a luxurious lifestyle. Currently, the outstanding tax amount has been paid.
Three judges from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the defense’s request to dismiss the case last week. The Appeals Court did not make a substantive ruling on his claims but indicated that these issues are not ripe for appeal at this time.
In the gun-related case, the prosecution alleges that Hunter Biden lied on a gun application in October 2018, concealing his history of drug use. He possessed the firearm in Delaware for approximately 11 days. Hunter admitted to being addicted to cocaine during that period, but his lawyers insist he did not break the law.
Hunter Biden’s lawyers requested the trial in that case to be delayed until September last week, citing the need for time to arrange witnesses and organize evidence. However, Judge Maryellen Noreika of the Delaware District rejected the request, stating, “Everyone should be able to complete the necessary work before June 3.”
The federal investigation into the President’s son seemed to be heading towards a plea agreement last year, but it fell through after a judge raised concerns. Subsequently, Hunter Biden was formally charged.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hunter Biden would receive two years of probation after pleading guilty to minor tax offenses. Additionally, if he stays out of trouble, he would not be prosecuted for the gun charges.
His lawyers argue that the prosecution succumbed to political pressure in bringing charges against Hunter Biden under the intense criticism from Trump and other Republicans regarding the plea deal.