Must be nice.
The perks of being a fortunate son were on full display when it was announced Tuesday that President Biden’s son Hunter will plead guilty to federal tax offenses but avoid prosecution on a separate gun charge in a deal with the Justice Department that likely spares him time behind bars.
As the Associated Press reported, Hunter Biden, 52, will plead guilty to the misdemeanor tax offenses as part of an agreement made public Tuesday.
The agreement will also avoid prosecution on a felony charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user, as long as he adheres to conditions set by prosecutors. It’s somewhat unusual to resolve a federal criminal case at the same time charges are filed in court but not unheard of.
True, this sort of deal isn’t unheard of, but it’s not often heard in connection with ordinary people.
Hunter Biden is in violation of 18 USC § 922(g) & (n). under the Federal Firearms Laws. According to the Justice Dept., that can carry a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment.
Unless you’re well-connected and well-financed.
Those are the ones who can afford the best lawyers, the ones who work out “not unheard of” deals to keep the top tier out of orange jumpsuits.
Nepo babies, especially those with political clout, get to tackle legal issues sotto voce.
Recall the case of former Gov. Charlie Baker’s son Andrew, accused in 2018 of groping a woman on a JetBlue flight. The case, as the Herald reported, was handed to federal prosecutors, where it lingered quietly out of the public eye. Ultimately, no charges were filed.
What’s particularly galling about Hunter Biden’s deal is that his dad Joe continues to talk tough about guns. On Friday, the president spoke to a gun safety summit in Connecticut, calling for tougher gun restrictions.
Tougher for everyone? Or just those outside the corridors of power?
The FastPass to perks isn’t limited to politicians’ offspring. Until the scheme was busted, sons and daughters of the wealthy were admitted into colleges despite their lack of qualifications or athletic prowess. Mom and Dad greased the skids with payouts, while youngsters wo deserved admission on merit found their places usurped.
The Supreme Court has taken up affirmative action in college admissions, and while the debate rages over who would win or lose out once a decision is reached, it misses a larger point. Legacy students.
According to a 2018 survey of admissions directors by Inside Higher Ed, 42% of private institutions and 6% of public institutions consider legacy status (having one or more parents who attended) as a factor in admissions.
Fortunate sons and daughters don’t have to sweat the wait for an acceptance letter.
Most people assume, rightly so, that being wealthy opens doors to opportunities unavailable to the working or middle classes.
Audacity comes into play when politicians tout their affinity for the common man while making sure their families don’t have to suffer the same consequences for their actions than would ordinary voters.
To them, everyone is equal, but some are more equal than others.
