Hunter Biden’s “sweetheart plea deal” has fallen apart, according multiple reports Wednesday.
The younger Biden made his initial appearance in the U.S. District Court in Delaware this morning to plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors for not paying federal taxes, but Judge Maryellen Noreika said she had “concerns” about some aspects of the case.
Prosecutors had recommended two years of probation for Biden, a virtual slap on the wrist amid ample evidence of more serious crimes.
Noreika reportedly called a second recess in the court proceedings as the plea deal unraveled.
According to the Associated Press, the judge “expressed concern over a related agreement on a more serious gun possession charge.”
Last month, Biden was charged with possession of a firearm by a person who is a known drug user, a felony. He had a Colt Cobra .38 Special for 11 days in October 2018. He agreed to enter into a diversion agreement, which means that he would not technically plead guilty to the crime. As long as he adhered to the terms of his agreement, the case would be wiped from his record. If not, the deal would be withdrawn. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Noreika reportedly said she was concerned about the language in the diversion agreement, which included “details about not prosecuting Biden for tax crimes in the future.” The judge urged the lawyers to get back together and discuss it.
“I think having you guys talk more makes sense,” she told the attorneys, according to the AP.
On Tuesday, Biden’s legal team was accused of pulling a dirty trick to block the release of damning evidence ahead of his court appearance.
Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee filed court documents urging Noreika to consider testimony from the two IRS whistleblowers who alleged Justice Department interference in the investigation.
Shortly after their motion was filed, a court clerk received a call requesting that “sensitive grand jury, taxpayer and Social Security information” be kept under seal, according to an oral order from the judge. The clerk said the lawyer gave her name and said she worked with an attorney from the Ways and Means Committee but was in fact a lawyer with the defense team.
Noreika demanded the defense team show why she should not consider sanctioning them for “misrepresentations to the court.” Defense attorneys responded that their lawyer had represented herself truthfully from the start and called the matter a misunderstanding.
Joe Biden has said very little about the case publicly, except to say “I’m very proud of my son.”
According to Fox News, Noreika asked the prosecution if there was an “ongoing, separate, existing” investigation into Hunter Biden, and the answer was yes. Noreika reportedly had concerns that plea deal would give Hunter immunity against future charges, “and she wasn’t okay with that.”