Biden’s son pleads guilty in US tax evasion trial

Hunter, the son of US President Joe Biden, has pleaded guilty to all charges in a criminal tax case against him in Los Angeles federal court.

The 54-year-old was indicted in California in December on nine counts related to a Justice Department investigation into his taxes.

Federal prosecutors charged him with evading at least $1.4 million in taxes.

President Biden’s only surviving son previously pleaded not guilty in the case.

But his lawyer announced in court Thursday that Hunter plans to change his not guilty plea before the start of his trial.

Hunter’s surprising decision to plead guilty to misdemeanor and felony charges without the benefit of a deal with prosecutors came hours after jury selection was supposed to begin in the case.

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A report on Friday said he quickly answered “guilty” as the judge read out each of the nine charges.

He added that the charges carry a sentence of up to 17 years in prison, but federal sentencing guidelines would likely call for a much lighter sentence.

His sentencing is scheduled for December 16, immediately after the US presidential election to be held on November 5.

Hunter was found guilty of three felony weapons charges in a separate case in June.

His sentence relates to a 2018 gun purchase while he was addicted to cocaine, marking the first time in US history that the son of a sitting president has been convicted of a crime.

Biden son pleads guilty in US tax evasion trial first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.