Hunter Biden to Plead Guilty in Federal Tax Case

Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden, is set to plead guilty to federal tax charges. He allegedly failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes while spending on drugs, sex workers, and luxury items. This move follows a prior conviction for illegal gun purchase while using drugs.

Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden, is scheduled to plead guilty to federal tax-related charges, NBC News reported Thursday, citing his lawyer.

Previously, Hunter Biden had entered a not guilty plea in a criminal case accusing him of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes while indulging in drugs, sex workers, and luxury items. His trial in the Los Angeles federal court was set to commence on Thursday. Both his legal team and the Justice Department have yet to comment.

In December, Biden was charged as part of a broader investigation into his financial and business dealings, making him the first child of a sitting president to face criminal charges. He was also convicted in June in a separate Delaware case for purchasing a gun illegally while using drugs, a conviction he is appealing.

Adding to his legal challenges, a guilty plea in the tax case would bypass a potentially embarrassing, weeks-long trial ahead of the Nov. 5 elections between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. Joe Biden stepped down from his re-election bid in July under pressure from fellow Democrats.

Hunter Biden, open about his battles with addiction, is accused of not paying taxes from 2016 to 2019 while spending significantly on drugs, escorts, luxury hotels, exotic cars, and more, according to the indictment. The trial might have also shed light on his involvement with a Ukrainian natural gas firm and other business activities during his father's vice presidency. Republicans claim these activities were corrupt, although Biden denies any improper dealings, and Republican-led probes have not implicated his father.

(With inputs from agencies.)