Hunter Biden pleads guilty to tax evasion, faces up to 17 years

The son of United States President Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, pleaded guilty on Thursday to nine charges related to failing to pay federal taxes, according to the newspaper the New York Times.

Hunter Biden informed his lawyers that he did not want to subject his family to further stress following the previous trial. He had been accused of lying about drug use on a form related to obtaining permission to purchase and possess a firearm when admitting to drug usage or addiction. In June, he was found guilty in that trial.

According to the "NYT," with the president's son's guilty plea in the tax case, a once unthinkable scenario is likely that Hunter Biden could be sentenced to a lengthy prison term.

Special prosecutor David Weiss, appointed to handle the Biden case, accused the president’s son of failing to pay at least £1.2 million in federal taxes from 2016 to 2019 while leading an "extravagant lifestyle."

As written by the "NYT," Hunter Biden attempted to finance his growing addiction to drugs and alcohol through tax crimes and leveraging his name to secure lucrative contracts abroad.

Initially, Hunter Biden’s lawyers and Weiss agreed to allow the president’s son to avoid prison in both cases. However, the judge overseeing the case rejected the agreement, and ultimately, the parties did not reach a consensus.

"Now Hunter Biden has pleaded guilty without a deal, as the lawyers were convinced they could not win," reports the "New York Times."

The president's son will remain free on bail until the sentencing, which is scheduled to occur in mid-December GMT.

Hunter Biden currently faces up to 17 years in prison or a fine of up to £1.1 million for tax crimes, and in addition, up to 25 years in prison for lying on the firearm application.