Hunter Biden, son of United States President Joe Biden, was indicted in multiple counts of tax evasion on Thursday. This is for the second time this year that the son of the US President has been charged by a special counsel investigating his personal and business dealings, as reported by news agency AFP.
In the 56-page indictment filed in US district court in California, special counsel David Weiss said, Hunter Biden "engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019," as quoted by AFP.
According to the indictment, Biden was charged with nine counts of failing to file and pay taxes, tax evasion and filing false tax returns. The new charges come at a time when Joe Biden wages a battle for reelection and fends off the attempt by Republicans to impeach him on grounds that he benefitted from his son's overseas business dealings, as reported by AFP.
The White House has not commented on the new charges so far. According to BBC, If convicted in the tax case, Hunter Biden could face up to 17 years in prison.
Previous Charges Accuse Hunter Biden Of Lying About Drug Use When He Purchased Gun
The previous charges accuse Hunter Biden of lying about his drug use on a federal application when he purchased a gun, AFP reported. The new charges Can see Hunter Biden going on trial twice next year at a time when his father Joe Biden almost certainly faces Donald Trump in the race of next US Presidet.
Hunter Biden Earned More Than $7 Million From 2016 To 2020, Says New Indictments
According to the new indictment, Hunter Biden earned more than $7 million from 2016 to 2020 and used this money for a freewheeling lifestyle.
"The defendant spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle at the same time he chose not to pay his taxes," the indictment states, as quoted by AFP.
It added: "Between 2016 and October 15, 2020, the defendant spent this money on drugs, escorts and girlfriends, luxury hotels and rental properties, exotic cars, clothing, and other items of a personal nature, in short, everything but his taxes."