Legal experts are warning that if Hunter Biden, son of former U.S. President Joe Biden, is found guilty of the newly-announced tax fraud felony charge, he could face jail time. The charge was initially reported this week by the Wall Street Journal, who revealed that federal prosecutors are looking into Hunter’s financial dealings.
The charge is for not filing taxes on a “foreign entity” that Hunter created in 2017 for a consulting gig he had at the time. The deal was made with two Ukrainian businessmen, a currently active investigation into which has been going on for at least two years.
Legal experts agree that Hunter could face significant legal ramifications if he is found guilty of the charge. Given the severity of the accusation, the consequences could even be criminal.
David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor from Miami, said that if a conviction is reached, the court may impose a sentence of up to a year in jail. “It’s a real possibility,” he said. “Frankly, I would be shocked if the court dismissed the charges. They indicate they have substantial evidence that he willfully violated the law.”
Hunter could also face a fine, which could reach up to $100,000. However, if this goes through, he may be able to defer the punishment through a deal, depending on any legal defenses he can present.
John Lauro, a criminal defense attorney from New York, stressed the importance of Hunter’s defense.
“He could potentially face serious penalties and jail time,” Lauro said. “His legal team needs to be prepared with a strong defense to challenge the charges and mitigate the potential punishment.”
Hunter has yet to release a statement regarding the allegations. He has been in the spotlight for much of 2021 after his father became the 46th President of the United States. Given the nature of the charge and the severity of the consequences, it could be a difficult next few months for Hunter and the rest of the Biden family.