Hunter Biden’s lawyers allege prosecution is trying to ‘slime’ him in trial

Hunter Biden was on a family vacation in California’s Santa Ynez Valley while his lawyers prepared a defense in his upcoming federal tax trial in Los Angeles. Nearly 100 miles from his vacation spot, his legal team presented their arguments in what was described as the final pretrial conference ahead of the trial.

Mark Geragos, a newly appointed attorney for Biden, defended him vigorously against the prosecution’s strategy. The prosecution intends to reveal details from Biden’s past that include his struggles with addiction and extravagant spending habits. Geragos characterized this as an attempt at “character assassination” designed to tarnish Biden’s reputation.

During the hearing, lead prosecutor Leo Wise argued that Biden’s personal history, particularly during a time when he was grappling with addiction, is pertinent to the tax-related charges filed against him. Biden faces a total of nine charges, which include three felonies and six misdemeanors, accusing him of failing to pay over $1.4 million in taxes while leading a lavish lifestyle between 2016 and 2019.

During these years, Biden struggled with crack cocaine and alcohol addictions, which he has attributed in part to the grief from losing family members, including his brother Beau. Geragos argued that the courtroom should provide context surrounding Biden’s addictions, pointing out the emotional traumas from his youth— namely the deaths of his mother and sister—and the impact these had on his life choices.

Geragos noted that the prosecution seemed intent on portraying Biden as someone who irresponsibly indulged in luxury without acknowledgment of his struggles. “They’re painting a picture for the jury that ignores the complexity of his life, reducing him to merely a partygoer without context,” he remarked.

Despite these arguments, Judge Mark Scarsi appeared unconvinced that discussing the root causes of addiction was relevant to the case at hand. Proceedings unfolded in a manner that suggested similarities to Biden’s previous trial over federal gun charges. In that earlier case, revealing and distressing details from Biden’s life were prominently featured, including his expensive hotel stays for drug use and concerning anecdotes from his family, such as his ex-wife needing to search their car for drugs before letting their daughters use it.

The earlier trial also highlighted the emotional turmoil surrounding Biden’s circumstances, culminating in poignant testimony from his daughter, Naomi Biden, who expressed how her father’s addiction had affected their relationship. Ultimately, Biden was found guilty on all three federal gun charges.

As the tax charges trial approaches, prosecutors are likely to bring back similar personal anecdotes and evidence. In addition to Biden’s personal life, prosecutors indicated intentions to introduce evidence pertaining to Biden’s foreign business dealings, which they believe will cast him in a negative light.

The ongoing legal troubles for Hunter Biden raise significant questions about how his past experiences and choices will be interpreted in a courtroom setting. The unfolding trial will not only focus on financial allegations but also delve into deeply personal aspects of his life that have shaped him and his actions.