David Weiss Appointed as Special Counsel in Hunter Biden Investigation
3 min read
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the appointment of David Weiss as special counsel in the ongoing investigation into Hunter Biden. The decision was made with the intent to reinforce the Justice Department’s commitment to independence and accountability.
Who is David Weiss?
David Weiss is a well-known figure in the U.S. legal community. Appointed as the chief federal prosecutor in Delaware by former President Trump, Weiss has been spearheading the investigation into President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, since 2019. He was asked to continue in his role after President Biden took office, and has since led the investigation without interruption.
The Investigation
Hunter Biden has been under investigation for alleged financial misconduct. In June, he agreed to a plea deal with Weiss’ office and pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges related to failures in tax payment for 2017 and 2018. However, a federal judge blocked the deal, leading Hunter Biden to plead not guilty.
As per court filings, Hunter Biden had a taxable income of at least $1.5 million and owed at least $100,000. The filings also revealed that he had fully repaid his back taxes and fines, including a reported $2 million paid to the government in 2022 with the help of a loan from his personal lawyer.
There’s also a gun charge against Hunter Biden, which relates to the alleged possession of a firearm, identified as a Colt Cobra 38SPL, by a drug user in 2018. Weiss disclosed that Hunter Biden had the gun for 11 days in October 2018.
Weiss as Special Counsel
The designation of Weiss as special counsel indicates the administration’s dedication to transparency and accountability. Attorney General Garland asserted that Weiss’ appointment as special counsel would underscore the department’s commitment to dealing with sensitive matters independently.
As special counsel, Weiss will not be subject to day-to-day supervision by any Justice Department official. He will maintain the authority and responsibility to oversee the investigation and decide on the filing of charges. On completing the investigation, Weiss will submit a report to Attorney General Garland explaining any prosecutorial decisions, with a commitment to make the report as public as possible.
The Future of the Investigation
With Weiss at the helm as special counsel, the Hunter Biden investigation takes on a new complexion. Immediately following the announcement of Weiss’ appointment, Justice Department lawyers requested a federal judge in Delaware to allow them to withdraw the case against Hunter Biden. The aim is to refile charges in Washington, D.C., and California, which they consider the proper venues for the case. Their request indicates that plea deal discussions have reached a stalemate, and the case seems destined for trial.
The appointment of David Weiss as special counsel in the Hunter Biden investigation signifies a significant milestone in the case. It underscores the commitment of the Justice Department to uphold independence and accountability, even in high-profile and politically sensitive cases. As the investigation proceeds under the lead of Weiss, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Hunter Biden and how this development impacts the broader political landscape.
Sources:
- David Weiss indicted Hunter Biden
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