Explosive allegations and controversies surrounding Hunter Biden and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have captivated the nation in recent months. As the son of President Joe Biden, Hunter's business dealings and potential legal issues have been the subject of intense scrutiny by Congressional Republicans. Simultaneously, questions have arisen regarding the DOJ's handling of investigations related to Hunter Biden. To understand these events, here is a timeline that traces the key moments and developments in this complex and evolving story.
In 2018, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Delaware initiated a federal investigation into Hunter Biden for potential tax and money laundering laws violations. The investigation commenced during the tenure of then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
In October 2020, the New York Post published a controversial article based on the contents of Hunter Biden's laptop computer. The article alleged that Hunter Biden introduced a Ukrainian businessman to his father, then-Vice President Joe Biden, raising questions about his business dealings in Ukraine and intensifying scrutiny over his father's alleged involvement.
Shortly after the 2020 presidential election, in December 2020, Hunter Biden publicly acknowledged, for the first time, that he was under investigation. The investigation became a prominent political issue during the election, with then-President Donald Trump raising questions about Hunter Biden's personal and financial affairs.
In February 2021, the Biden administration decided to retain David Weiss, the U.S. Attorney for Delaware, a Trump appointee with overseeing the investigation into Hunter Biden's alleged violations. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the DOJ's commitment to independence and non-interference.
In December 2022, Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, released internal emails about the handling of the New York Post's story on Hunter Biden's laptop. These leaked emails raised concerns about the potential suppression of the story, leading to accusations of censorship and interference.
In April 2023, Hunter Biden's legal team requested a status update from the Department of Justice regarding the ongoing investigation. Such meetings are routine for defendants seeking information about case developments.
In May 2023, House Republicans released a report accusing President Joe Biden and his family of receiving millions of dollars in payments from foreign entities, suggesting possible influence-peddling. The report primarily focused on payments made to companies connected to Hunter Biden. However, it did not present direct evidence of Joe Biden's involvement in any wrongdoing.
On June 20, 2023, recently filed court documents revealed that investigators and Hunter Biden had reached a plea agreement. Under this agreement, Hunter Biden will plead guilty to failing to pay federal income tax and illegally possessing a firearm while a drug user. Prosecutors recommend probation instead of a prison sentence, subject to judicial approval. House Republicans criticized the plea deal, characterizing it as evidence of a "two-tier justice system."
In Late June, a court hearing is scheduled for July 26 to formalize the plea deal. Additionally, House Republicans release testimony from two IRS whistleblowers who allege interference by the Justice Department in their investigation into Hunter Biden's alleged tax crimes.
On June 28, 2023, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) demanded that U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen provide all suspicious activity reports (SARs) for several individuals and entities related to Burisma, a Ukrainian-based energy company. This demand comes after an unclassified FBI-generated record from June 30, 2020, surfaces, documenting conversations between a Burisma executive and a confidential human source. The executive claims that then-Vice President Joe Biden solicited and received a bribe in exchange for certain actions.
Chairman Comer expresses concerns about the FBI's handling of the allegations, stating, "The FBI has been sitting on allegations for years that Joe Biden solicited and received a bribe while he was Vice President of the United States. We have no confidence that the FBI did anything to verify the allegations contained within this record and may have intentionally withheld it during the investigation into Hunter Biden's tax evasion." Comer refers to an IRS whistleblower who indicates that this crucial evidence was withheld from tax investigators, despite potentially corroborating the claims made in the record.
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee is determined to pursue financial records to trace the flow of money related to the Bidens and Burisma. Chairman Comer calls Secretary Yellen to provide financial documents pertaining to Burisma executives and entities. The aim is to investigate further whether foreign actors targeted the Bidens, assess potential compromises of President Biden, and evaluate any threats to national security.
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In his letter to Secretary Yellen, Chairman Comer specifically requests all SARs filed by financial institutions under Treasury's custody from April 2014 to the present for individuals and entities such as Burisma and its corporate affiliates and subsidiaries, Mykola Zlochevsky, Karina Zlochevska, Vadym Pozharskyi, Alexander Kotlarsky, Vuk Jeremic, and the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development.
As the investigation into Hunter Biden and the DOJ controversy continues, these new developments raise further questions about potential financial improprieties and the need for transparency in handling the case.
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee's pursuit of financial records underscores their commitment to uncovering the truth and exploring legislative solutions to strengthen public corruption laws. The release of these requested documents will be crucial in informing the ongoing investigations and determining the implications for national security and the Biden administration.