Special counsel David Weiss revealed in court documents that Hunter Biden was employed by a Romanian businessman, Gabriel Popoviciu, who was under investigation for corruption and aimed to sway U.S. government policy while Joe Biden was the vice president. Weiss mentioned that Hunter Biden’s business partner is set to testify in Hunter Biden’s federal tax trial about the collaboration with Popoviciu.
These allegations are anticipated to reignite criticism of Hunter Biden’s international business involvements, that have been a focal point of the president’s family scrutinized by Republicans. Hunter Biden has dismissed Republican inquiries into his family’s business affairs as politically driven and has maintained that he never engaged his father in his business dealings.
The court filings indicate that prosecutors intend to present evidence that Hunter Biden and his business partner were compensated by a foreign entity seeking to influence U.S. policy and public opinion. Popoviciu purportedly sought U.S. government intervention in the Romanian bribery investigation against him to resolve his legal issues.
Hunter Biden and his business partner allegedly agreed to assist Popoviciu in combatting the criminal charges he faced. However, prosecutors expressed concern that such lobbying efforts could have political implications for Joe Biden, so they claim the arrangement was obscured to hide its true purpose.
Prosecutors allege that payments from Popoviciu were disguised as fees for managing real estate assets in Romania, but the actual agreement was related to influencing U.S. government agencies to investigate the Romanian case. Hunter Biden’s business partner reportedly received over $3 million, which was shared between Hunter Biden, the partner, and another business associate.
Hunter Biden’s trial, scheduled to commence next month in Los Angeles, revolves around accusations of him failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes over four years, a period when he acknowledges grappling with substance abuse issues. The prosecutors clarified that there is no evidence indicating direct payments to Hunter Biden by a foreign government or compensations for actions tied to his father’s involvement in national or international politics.
While Hunter Biden’s defense team argues that he has been unfairly targeted with politically driven attacks regarding his foreign business engagements, the prosecutors maintain that the agreement with Popoviciu is pertinent to the trial as it speaks to his intent during the period of alleged tax evasion.
The tax trial arrives following Hunter Biden’s conviction on three felony charges related to a firearm purchase in 2018. Prosecutors contended that he provided false information on the required gun-buying form by denying illegal drug use. Scheduled for sentencing in November, Hunter Biden could face up to 25 years in prison, although his status as a first-time offender may result in a lesser sentence or potentially avoiding incarceration altogether.
