Current:Home > StocksJudge threatens to sanction Hunter Biden’s legal team over ‘false statements’ in a court filing-LoTradeCoin
Judge threatens to sanction Hunter Biden’s legal team over ‘false statements’ in a court filing
View Date:2024-12-23 19:37:08
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge in California is threatening to sanction Hunter Biden’s lawyers, saying they made “false statements” in a court filing asking the judge to throw out the tax case against President Joe Biden’s son.
U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi accused lawyers for the Democratic president’s son of “misrepresenting the history” of the case when they said in court papers filed last week that no charges were brought in the investigation until after Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss was named special counsel in August 2023.
“These statements, however, are not true, and Mr. Biden’s counsel knows they are not true,” wrote Scarsi, who was appointed to the bench by President Donald Trump, a Republican.
The judge noted that Weiss had not yet been named special counsel when he charged Hunter Biden with misdemeanor tax offenses as part of a plea deal that fell apart last year. Scarsi ordered Hunter Biden’s lawyers to explain why they should not be sanctioned.
Attorney Mark Geragos told The Associated Press on Thursday that Hunter Biden’s legal team would respond to the judge, but he insisted it made no false statements. Geragos noted that Weiss, as Delaware U.S. attorney, had no authority to file the tax charges in California until after he was named special counsel.
Hunter Biden’s lawyers made the statement in a court filing seeking to dismiss the case, which accuses the president’s son of a scheme to avoid paying $1.4 million in taxes and is scheduled for trial in September. Hunter Biden’s lawyers cited a ruling from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissing a separate prosecution of Trump in Florida because she said special counsel Jack Smith, who filed Trump’s charges, was illegally appointed by the Justice Department.
Hunter Biden’s lawyers said the same logic should apply in his cases and should result in the dismissal of his tax case in Los Angeles and a separate firearm case in Delaware, in which he was convicted of three felony charges.
Smith’s team has appealed Cannon’s dismissal to a federal appeals court in Atlanta, saying the Justice Department followed long-established precedent — for instance, the Trump-era appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller to investigate Russian election interference was upheld by courts.
Jurors in Delaware in June found Hunter Biden guilty of lying about his drug use in 2018 on a federal form to buy a firearm that he had for about 11 days. The tax case in California, where he lives, centers on at least $1.4 million in taxes prosecutors say he failed to pay over four years. The back taxes have since been paid.
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of Hunter Biden at https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- 13 escaped monkeys still on the loose in South Carolina after 30 were recaptured
- A new solar energy deal will bring power to 140,000 homes and businesses in 3 states
- What is there a shortage of? Find out in the NPR news quiz (hint: it's not smoke)
- One way to lower California's flood risk? Give rivers space
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Red Velvet, Please
- Taylor Swift Fan Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver After Leaving Eras Tour Concert in Houston
- And Just Like That Confirms Aidan’s Epic Return in Season 2 Teaser
- The Supreme Court wrestles with questions over the Navajo Nation's water rights
- Volunteer firefighter accused of setting brush fire on Long Island
- Extreme heat will smother the South from Arizona to Florida
Ranking
- Drone footage captures scope of damage, destruction from deadly Louisville explosion
- Jessica Simpson Serves “Neon Energy” in New Bikini Selfie
- It Cosmetics Flash Deal: Get $123 Worth of Products for Just $77
- Efforts to recharge California's underground aquifers show mixed results
- Tropical Storm Sara threatens to bring flash floods and mudslides to Central America
- The race to protect people from dangerous glacial lakes
- The Young and the Restless' Eric Braeden Reveals Cancer Diagnosis
- Swimming pools and lavish gardens of the rich are driving water shortages, study says
Recommendation
-
UConn, Kansas State among five women's college basketball games to watch this weekend
-
Vietnam's human rights record is being scrutinized ahead of $15 billion climate deal
-
Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $360 Reversible Tote Bag for Just $79
-
Country Singer Jimmie Allen and Wife Alexis Break Up While Expecting Baby No. 3
-
Donna Kelce Includes Sweet Nod to Taylor Swift During Today Appearance With Craig Melvin
-
Greta Thunberg was detained by German police while protesting a coal mine expansion
-
Vanderpump Rules Couples Status Check: See Who's Still Together
-
One way to lower California's flood risk? Give rivers space