In a surprising twist, a judge appointed by former President Trump has been assigned to preside over Hunter Biden’s federal criminal tax case in Delaware. This development comes as Hunter Biden prepares to enter into a plea deal on two misdemeanor federal tax charges. Judge Maryellen Noreika, appointed in 2017, will oversee the proceedings.
Hunter Biden is facing a total of three charges, with an expected pretrial diversion agreement for a felony charge related to the possession of a firearm as an unlawful user of a controlled substance.
If found guilty, Biden could face a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison for each tax charge, totaling up to two years. The firearm charge, for which he has agreed to the diversion program, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
The Department of Justice’s diversion programs aim to divert certain offenders away from traditional criminal justice processing and provide them with alternative systems of supervision and service, such as mental health or substance abuse treatment.
Successful completion of these programs can result in a range of outcomes, including declination of charges, dismissal or reduction of charges, or more favorable recommendations at sentencing.
Judge Noreika will be responsible for sentencing Hunter Biden, and the outcome of this high-profile case remains to be seen. The charges against the president’s son are significant, particularly considering his substantial outstanding tax liabilities.
Hunter Biden failed to pay federal income taxes amounting to over $100,000 each year, according to U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware David Weiss. Additionally, he possessed a firearm despite being aware that he was an unlawful user of a controlled substance.
Critics from the Republican Party have voiced their concerns about Hunter Biden’s plea deal, referring to it as a “sweetheart” agreement that grants him favorable treatment. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee expressed her doubts, stating, “It’s no coincidence that less than a week after President Trump is arraigned by the DOJ, Hunter Biden is pleading guilty to a sweetheart deal with no jail time.”
Many Republicans believe that the DOJ’s decision to charge Biden with a gun felony and two tax misdemeanors is an attempt to pursue an easy target while dragging their feet on the investigation for an extended period.
As the trial progresses, it will undoubtedly attract intense scrutiny and spark widespread debate. Transparency and justice are essential for the American people, and it is crucial to closely monitor the developments surrounding Hunter Biden’s federal criminal tax case. The trial’s outcome could have significant implications for both the Biden family and the political landscape at large.
Source Fox News
