| 16 September 2023
| Christie Anto
Washington D.C., USA - In a dramatic legal development, Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden, has filed a lawsuit against two Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents, accusing them of improperly sharing his confidential tax information. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, alleges that the IRS agents "targeted and sought to embarrass Mr. Biden" while asserting that federal whistleblower protections do not encompass the disclosure of sensitive tax information in press interviews and congressional testimony.
This legal action comes amidst a long-standing investigation into Hunter Biden, a backdrop characterized by intense political polarization, including an impeachment inquiry targeting his father, President Joe Biden. Just last week, Hunter was indicted on federal firearms charges, with prosecutors alleging that he provided false statements about his drug use to acquire a firearm in 2018. His defense attorneys have indicated their intention to vigorously contest these charges, setting the stage for a potential high-stakes trial as the 2024 presidential election looms.
President Biden, who is actively seeking re-election and is anticipated to face his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump, in a rematch, now finds his family embroiled in a legal battle that could have political ramifications.
The civil lawsuit, filed in Washington, asserts that the unauthorized disclosures encompassed specific tax years under investigation, deductions, and allegations regarding tax liability. While it does not challenge the investigation itself, the lawsuit aims to "compel compliance with federal tax and privacy laws" and halt the dissemination of "unsupported allegations" and "unlawful disclosures" of Hunter Biden's tax information.
The two IRS agents named in the lawsuit are Greg Shapley, a supervisory special agent, and Joe Ziegler. In their testimony before Congress, both agents claimed that there was a pattern of "slow-walking investigative steps" in Hunter's case, vehemently denying any political motivations. They further alleged that Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who is overseeing the investigation, did not possess the full authority to bring charges in other jurisdictions.
David Weiss, who was initially appointed by former President Donald Trump and retained to oversee the Hunter Biden probe, has categorically refuted claims that he lacked the authority to bring charges. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has also affirmed that Weiss possessed "complete authority." Notably, Weiss was recently granted special counsel status, endowing him with broad investigative powers to report his findings.
The legal saga involving Hunter Biden took a twist when he was expected to plead guilty to misdemeanor charges related to tax payment delays as part of a plea deal that also encompassed the firearm charge. However, this plea agreement unraveled in court after a judge raised concerns, with Republicans characterizing it as a "sweetheart deal."
At the time of reporting, The Associated Press news agency has not received comments from the IRS or legal representatives for the two accused agents, Greg Shapley and Joe Ziegler.
The lawsuit filed by Hunter Biden adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious political landscape, raising questions about the intersection of personal privacy, government investigations, and the ever-present specter of electoral politics. As this legal battle unfolds, it is certain to draw national attention and further scrutiny as the nation approaches the pivotal 2024 election season.
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