Column By Mike Bibb
With all the information and misinformation swirling around Hunter Biden, there seems to be an abundance of confusion as to exactly what his actual net worth is.
The above amount – $285 million – extracted from a computer search, would seem to indicate Hunter should have plenty of money to do whatever he wishes.
If so, why the current hubbub over his financial dealings with China, Ukraine, Russia, et cetera? If he’s pulling in $31 million a year, and “is one of the richest lobbyists in the world,” he should be able to purchase a Ford Raptor pickup truck without borrowing money from Dad.
Incidentally, Hunter was – satirically speaking – last year’s White House Christmas Santa at $90K for the gig. I assume federal and state taxes were paid since his parents are law-abiding residents of “The People’s House.”
Of course, withholding taxes would probably take away some of the merriment of the occasion.
Equally puzzling, why is Hunter continually hanging around the White House, hopping on Air Force One with Pops, surrounded by Secret Service?
Hunter’s 53, not 13. With his alleged bankroll, he probably has a wallet full of plastic to fly commercial – and buy a bag of peanuts.
At least the IRS thinks so. After examining expenses during several years of unreported income – from 2016 through 2019 – they’ve determined he had sufficient funds to pay the estimated $1.4 million he owed in federal taxes.
Not including fines and penalties, which can amount to nearly as much. And, not counting California and Delaware state income tax nonpayments.
In a recent nine-count indictment, including three felonies and six misdemeanors, the IRS is seeking to prosecute Hunter for multiple tax transgressions. – Hunter Biden’s Indictment, U.S. Dept. Of Justice, Dec. 7, 2023
Similar to most cases, the IRS will outline how much money was earned, how much was owed, how much was purposely evaded, and detail where much of it has gone.
This is the part of the scenario that may entangle Joe.
The current House Oversight Committee has uncovered voluminous evidence, including documents, bank records, witnesses, and IRS officials who’ve indicated Hunter was part of a family business involved in selling the “Biden Brand” to whoever had money to buy it.
The brand consisted of a single product commonly referred to as “influence peddling.”
Joe, during his vice president days, was the star attraction of the brand. Hunter was the pimp, soliciting deep-pocket foreign customers with an interest in having an inside track to U.S. government affairs.
The Oversight Committee has estimated tens of millions of dollars were paid to the Biden’s over the years, laundered through fictitious businesses, and going to many family members.
If the House committee has these documents, it’s reasonable to assume the IRS does too, or can obtain them.
Hunter escaped paying previous tax years because the seven-year clause in the “Statute of Limitations” had expired. In other words, Hunter walked with millions of tax-free dollars simply because the clock ran out on prosecuting him.
An indication something was amiss within the Obama Administration which prevented the IRS or DOJ from corralling Hunter.
Things were a little different after 2015.
For instance, in 2018, the indictment alleges Hunter “spent more than $1.8 million, including approximately $772,000 in cash withdrawals, approximately $383,000 in payments to women, approximately $151,000 in clothing and accessories.”
There was also a $70,000 drug rehab tab.
These expenditures equal $1,376,000 – leaving $424,000 still unaccounted for. Where did nearly half a million dollars go? Joe might know.
IRS insists, “The Defendant did not use any of these funds to pay taxes in 2018.” – Reuters, Dec. 8, 2023
This blatant negligence was for just a single year!
Adding a little more spice to the mixture, on Dec. 13, 2023, Hunter refused a Congressional subpoena to attend a deposition. Instead, he conducted his press conference outside the Capitol building.
A similar stunt was tried by two of Trump’s aides who ignored a Congressional subpoena relating to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol protests. Biden’s DOJ deployed armed agents who arrested, handcuffed, and delivered the 70-plus-year-old individuals to jail.
We’ll see if Hunter is given equal treatment.
As often the case among crooks, Hunter – feeling he was being taken advantage of – resented giving substantial portions of his earnings to Daddy Joe.
In an email to his daughter, Naomi, Hunter complained on Dec. 26, 2018, “I love all of you. But I don’t receive any respect and that’s fine I guess – works for you, apparently. I hope you all can do what I did and pay for everything for this entire family for 30 years. It’s really hard. But don’t worry, unlike Pop, I won’t make you give me half your salary.” – Daily Mail, July 5, 2021
Naomi was about 25 years old at the time of the email.
The email would appear to indicate Joe was having frequent communications with Hunter, despite insisting he wasn’t. One of many examples Joe hasn’t been on the up-n-up.
Remaining to be seen is whether Hunter’s IRS prosecution is a legitimate court contest to expose his many alleged infractions, or some kind of shrewd diversion intended to draw public attention away from Joe.
There may be at least three strategies in the IRS’ tax case: Hunter was indicted to protect him from commenting on the case; During the trial, Hunter will not divulge information, pleading the 5th; As long as Joe is president, he can pardon Hunter if convicted.
Let’s not forget that the DOJ has already wrapped Trump in several indictments. Now, it needs to sweep up Hunter’s clutter to make Joe appear presentable and less involved in these secretive endeavors.
The 2024 General Election is only 11 months away and, so far, Joe is the only official Democrat Party candidate, although his image is steadily tarnishing.
Doubtful staying in his home’s basement will work this time around. Like it or not, to put forth some kind of viable campaign Joe’s going have to go on the road to tout his many imagined accomplishments.
According to the Pew Research Center, Dec. 14, 2023, “A third of Americans currently say they approve of Joe Biden’s job performance as president, while nearly two-thirds (64%) say they disapprove. This is little changed over the last year.”
The 36% who support, or have no opinion of Joe, must be illegal immigrants entering the country, hardcore Democrats who have been sleepwalking through the last three years, or script writers for the exceptionally intelligent and talented hosts of ABC’s daytime talk show “The View”.
This entire family seems to function in a constant state of discombobulation. From grandchildren to grandpa and grandma, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, investigations, Congressional interviews, indictments, press reports, foreign financial intrigues, and Joe’s noticeable mental decline are regularly observed occurrences.
Hardly a day passes without some kind of dopy incident happening to someone within the Biden family circle.
Fifteen-minute news cycles have their hands full trying to sugarcoat this jumbled mess, particularly when inquiring, “What’s Hunter up to today?”
Joe’s book “Promises to Keep,” indicates young Hunter’s future ambitions when Joe asks, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Hunter unhesitatingly responded, “I want to be important.” – The Messinger Opinion, June 21, 2023
For better or worse, looks like Hunter has gotten his wish this Christmas season.
The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author.
