Hunter Biden prosecutor says Justice Dept didn't interfere in probe
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[July 11, 2023]
By Sarah N. Lynch
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The federal prosecutor overseeing the criminal
case against U.S. President Joe Biden's son Hunter on Monday said the
Justice Department never impeded him from bringing charges, appearing to
debunk claims made by an Internal Revenue Service whistleblower.
Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss in a letter to Republican Senator
Lindsey Graham denied allegations that he ever formally sought
permission from Attorney General Merrick Garland to be designated as
special counsel - a status that would have allowed him to bring federal
charges in any district across the nation against Hunter Biden.
"I have not requested Special Counsel designation," wrote Weiss, who was
appointed by Republican former President Donald Trump.
"Rather, I had discussions with Departmental officials regarding
potential appointment ... which would have allowed me to file charges in
a district outside my own without the partnership of the local U.S.
Attorney. I was assured that I would be granted this authority if it
proved necessary."
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Weiss' office last month revealed that it was charging Hunter Biden with
two misdemeanor tax charges, to which the president's son is expected to
plead guilty later this month. Hunter Biden also has agreed to enter
into a pretrial diversion program to avoid facing a more serious felony
count of possessing a firearm while he was using illegal drugs.
Republicans have questioned why Weiss did not bring more aggressive
felony charges.
Their criticism has been fueled in part by claims from Gary Shapley, an
IRS criminal supervisory agent who worked on the Hunter Biden
investigation.
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![](../images/071123PIX/news_a60.jpg)
Hunter Biden steps off Marine One at Ft.
McNair, after spending the night at Camp David, in Washington, U.S.,
June 25, 2023. REUTERS/Tasos Katopodis/File Photo
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Shapley in an interview with lawmakers claimed that the Justice
Department repeatedly stonewalled the probe, starting during the
Trump administration and continuing through to the present.
Most notably, Shapley said investigators uncovered evidence of more
serious tax crimes that could only be pursued in either Washington,
D.C., or California, but not in Delaware.
Shapley said that when Weiss sought permission from Garland to be
designated as special counsel, so he could bring charges from
anywhere in the country, his request was denied.
Garland has denied the claim, telling reporters last month that
Weiss made no such request and stating that Weiss was given
"complete authority."
Hunter Biden's attorney has also denied that his client received any
special treatment.
Weiss, in his letter on Monday, confirmed Garland's prior comments
on the case, telling lawmakers he has "never been denied the
authority to bring charges in any jurisdiction."
(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Scott Malone and Peter
Graff)
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