Surprising Revelations Shake Pre-Arranged Plea Deal
Hunter Biden, son of President Biden, has left federal court after his pre-arranged plea deal with the Justice Department fell apart. The deal was dissolved following shocking revelations that Hunter Biden is still under investigation for possible Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) crimes.
Original Deal Details
Under the original agreement, Hunter Biden would have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor tax charges and avoided a full prosecution on a gun charge if he stayed out of trouble for two years. He is accused of possessing a gun for 11 days in 2018, a period during which he has admitted to using drugs, despite a law prohibiting “habitual drug users” from owning guns.
Constitutionality Questioned
Judge Maryellen Noreika did not accept the plea agreement, questioning its constitutionality and the broad immunity that Hunter Biden would have received. As a result, Hunter Biden pleaded “not guilty” instead.
New Charges Filed
Since the dissolution of the plea deal, federal prosecutors have filed three felony gun counts in Delaware and, in December, nine tax counts in California. The tax counts allege that Hunter Biden schemed to avoid paying $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019.
Former President Trump Takes the Stand in Civil Trial
Challenging Lawsuit Alleging Fraud and Inflated Asset Value
Former President Trump has taken the stand on November 6, 2023, in a non-jury civil trial stemming from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that Trump defrauded banks and inflated the value of his assets.
Trump’s Defense
Trump has repeatedly labeled James’ investigation and lawsuit as a “disgrace” and an attack on his business and family. On the stand, he dismissed the case as a “political witch hunt” and insisted that he was worth billions more, not less, than his financial statements indicated. He argued that any misstatements were immaterial mistakes and that disclaimers effectively warned recipients not to rely solely on the numbers.
Conclusion of the Trial
The trial, which lasted over 10 weeks, concluded with testimony from 40 witnesses in early December. Closing arguments are scheduled for January 11.
Potential Impact on Trump’s Empire
The outcome of the trial poses a threat to Trump’s real estate empire and seeks to prevent him from conducting business in his home state. The lawsuit alleges that he overvalued various real estate holdings, including Trump Tower, Mar-a-Lago, golf courses, hotels, and a Wall Street office building.
George Santos Faces Charges of Fraud and Misuse of Campaign Funds
Former U.S. Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., was charged on May 10, 2023, in the Eastern District of New York. The charges include defrauding donors to his campaign, lying to Congress about his wealth, receiving unemployment benefits while employed, and using campaign contributions for personal expenses like designer clothing.
Denial and Accusations
Santos has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has denounced the case as a “witch hunt.” He accused President Biden and his family of receiving deposits from foreign destinations without facing legal consequences.
Additional Charges and Resignation
In October, Santos pleaded not guilty to additional charges of making unauthorized charges on credit cards belonging to his campaign donors. He was ultimately indicted on December 1, 2023, following a damning House ethics report, and a special election has been scheduled for February 13, 2024, to select his replacement.
Sen. Bob Menendez Indicted in Corruption Scheme
Charges Against High-Ranking Democrat
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., his wife Nadine, and three New Jersey businessmen were charged in September in connection with a years-long corruption scheme. The indictment alleges that Menendez agreed to use his position to benefit the Egyptian government in exchange for hundreds of thousands of bribes.
Menendez’s Defiance
Despite calls for his resignation, Menendez has refused to step down and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The charges include acting as a foreign agent, which was added by the Justice Department in October.
Incriminating Evidence
During a search of Menendez’s home, authorities discovered over $100,000 worth of gold bars and more than $480,000 in cash hidden in closets, clothing, and a safe. Photos in the indictment show cash stuffed in envelopes with Menendez’s name on them. Investigators also found a Google search by Menendez for the value of a “kilo of gold” and identified DNA on an envelope filled with thousands of dollars, allegedly bribed to the senator.
Fox News’ Brianna Herlihy, Jake Gibson, Brooke Singman, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.