Hunter Biden prosecutor says Justice Dept didn’t interfere in probe
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Hunter Biden has agreed to enter a pre-trial diversion programme to avoid facing a more serious felony count.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
WASHINGTON – The federal prosecutor overseeing the criminal case against US President Joe Biden’s son Hunter on Monday said the Justice Department never impeded him from bringing charges, appearing to debunk claims made by an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whistle-blower.
Delaware US attorney David Weiss in a letter to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham denied allegations that he ever formally sought permission from Attorney-General Merrick Garland to be designated as special counsel – a status that would have allowed him to bring federal charges in any district across the nation against Hunter Biden.
“I have not requested special counsel designation,” wrote Mr Weiss, who was appointed by Republican former president Donald Trump.
“Rather, I had discussions with departmental officials regarding potential appointment... which would have allowed me to file charges in a district outside my own without the partnership of the local US attorney. I was assured that I would be granted this authority if it proved necessary.”
Mr Weiss’ office in June revealed it was charging Hunter Biden with two misdemeanour tax charges, to which the President’s son is expected to plead guilty later in July.
Republicans have questioned why Mr Weiss did not bring more aggressive felony charges.
Their criticism has been fuelled in part by claims from Mr Gary Shapley, an IRS criminal supervisory agent who worked on the Hunter Biden investigation.
Mr Shapley, in an interview with lawmakers, claimed the Justice Department repeatedly stonewalled the probe, starting during the Trump administration and continuing to the present.
Most notably, Mr Shapley said investigators had uncovered evidence of more serious tax crimes that could only be pursued in either Washington, DC, or California, but not in Delaware.
He said that when Mr Weiss sought permission from Mr Garland to be designated as special counsel so he could bring charges from anywhere in the country, his request was denied.
Mr Garland has denied the claim, telling reporters in June that Mr Weiss made no such request and stating that Mr Weiss was given “complete authority”.
Hunter Biden’s attorney has also denied that his client received any special treatment.
Mr Weiss, in his letter on Monday, confirmed Mr Garland’s prior comments on the case, telling lawmakers he has “never been denied the authority to bring charges in any jurisdiction”. REUTERS
