Biden case ‘would have died a quiet death’ without whistleblowers, attorney says
Hunter Biden (Mike Segar/Reuters)
The IRS investigators who blew the whistle on Hunter Biden’s business dealings are claiming “complete vindication” after the embattled first son’s indictment on felony tax evasion charges.
The bombshell indictment is largely consistent with details brought to light by Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, IRS investigators who worked on the Biden probe. Shapley and Ziegler provided Congress with records showing Biden evaded millions of dollars in taxes on his foreign business income and took deductions for personal expenses.
According to the indictment, Biden failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes from 2016 to 2019 and instead spent millions of dollars “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,” the indictment says.
Biden allegedly deducted personal expenses from his taxes, including a $10,000 payment in 2018 to a Los Angeles sex club. He deducted $683,212 in payments to “various women” and $188,960 for “adult entertainment” from 2016 to 2019, according to the indictment. That information matches what Shapley and Ziegler told Congress in May.
Shapley, Ziegler, and their attorney say the 56-page indictment validates both the IRS investigation and their decision to blow the whistle.
The indictment is a “complete vindication” of the probe, Shapley and Ziegler said in a statement.
“Eight months ago we did something ordinary people don’t do: we risked our careers and reputations to bring the truth out of the shadows and into the light,” the pair said. “We were moved solely by our consciences, yet faced continual attacks.”
Their attorney, Tristan Leavitt, said Biden would not be facing felony tax changes if they had not revealed details of the probe.
“If the whistleblowers hadn’t come forward, this undeniably strong case would have died a quiet death,” said Leavitt, the president of Empower Oversight.
Shapley and Ziegler have accused the Justice Department and Special Counsel David Weiss of pulling punches in the investigation. The whistleblowers told Congress that prosecutors initially supported filing felony tax charges against Biden. Weiss, the U.S. attorney in Delaware, planned to close his investigation into Biden earlier this year without any charges, the New York Timesreported. But Weiss soon changed course after Shapley went public with details of the Biden probe. He indicted Biden in June on misdemeanor tax charges and a felony gun charge.
By coming forward, Shapley and Ziegler have landed in the crosshairs of Biden allies. Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Hunter Biden, referred to them as ”disgruntled employees” and reportedly urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Shapley for making what he claims are illegal disclosures of Biden’s tax information.
The indictment still leaves other allegations from the whistleblowers unsettled. Biden has not been charged with anything directly related to his foreign business activities. Republicans have said Biden should be charged with violating foreign lobbying laws over his failure to register as a lobbyist for his work in Ukraine and China.
President Joe Biden is also not implicated in the indictment, though he has faced intense scrutiny for falsely claiming to have no knowledge of his son’s business dealings. The president said this week he has never met Hunter Biden’s foreign business partners, a claim the Washington Free Beaconawarded “Five Clintons.”
What role did whistleblowers play in bringing the controversial business ventures of Hunter Biden to light?
Rsight, the law firm representing the whistleblowers.
The indictment has brought the spotlight back onto the controversial business ventures of Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden. Hunter Biden has long been a subject of scrutiny, with allegations of corruption and questionable financial dealings surrounding his foreign business interests.
The revelations in the indictment paint a troubling picture of tax evasion and extravagant spending. While the indictment does not directly implicate President Biden, it does raise questions about the potential influence that his son’s activities may have had on his political career.
The role of whistleblowers in bringing these issues to light cannot be understated. In a time when truth and transparency are of utmost importance, individuals like Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler have shown tremendous courage and integrity in stepping forward to expose wrongdoing.
Their decision to risk their careers and reputations highlights the importance of speaking up against corruption, even when faced with attacks and pushback. The IRS investigators deserve commendation for their commitment to upholding the law and ensuring accountability for those in power.
It is crucial that we protect and support whistleblowers, as they play a vital role in safeguarding the public interest. Their actions shine a light on misconduct and hold individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their position or influence.
The Biden case serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, and that unethical behavior will not go unnoticed or unpunished. The indictment should serve as a warning to those who engage in illegal activities or attempt to evade their tax obligations.
As the legal process unfolds, it is important for the justice system to be thorough and fair. The evidence presented in the indictment should be rigorously examined, and due process should be afforded to all parties involved.
At the same time, the Biden case should also prompt a broader conversation about the need for greater transparency and accountability in government and politics. The American people deserve leaders who uphold the highest ethical standards and prioritize the public interest over personal gain.
While this case may have political implications, it is important to remember that it is ultimately a matter of law and justice. The focus should be on ensuring that the truth prevails and that those responsible for any wrongdoing are held accountable.
As the Biden case continues to unfold, let us recognize the crucial role that whistleblowers play in exposing corruption and wrongdoing. Their bravery serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, and that when individuals step forward to speak the truth, justice can prevail.
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