US President Joe Biden's son agrees to plea deal

Mr. Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden (Source: AP)

On June 20, Mr. Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, agreed to a plea deal with the Delaware state prosecutor's office related to two charges of tax evasion and illegal gun possession, thereby ending a 5-year investigation into him.

Hunter, 53, pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to pay federal income taxes and illegally possessing a gun despite a drug history, prosecutors said, but the plea agreement still needs to be approved by a federal judge.

According to the indictment, Mr. Hunter Biden, a lawyer and lobbyist, failed to file timely tax returns when he earned more than $1.5 million in income in 2017 and 2018.

Hunter Biden owed more than $100,000 in taxes on those earnings in both years. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 or twice the amount of money Biden earned in the violation.

However, according to US media, Mr. Hunter Biden may not face any prison sentence, and will only receive a suspended sentence.

Regarding the illegal gun possession charge, Mr. Hunter Biden will not be prosecuted but will have to participate in a program that includes rehabilitation and recovery.

In a statement, Christopher Clark, Hunter Biden’s attorney, said Hunter believed it was important to take responsibility for mistakes made during a difficult and addictive period in his life.

According to Mr. Clark, Mr. Hunter Biden wants to continue to recover and move forward.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden later issued a statement supporting their son in rebuilding his life, but did not comment further.

According to VNA