Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has initiated a legal action against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), claiming that investigators from the agency unlawfully disclosed confidential details of his taxes and conducts to Congress and the public. The lawsuit was filed shortly after Hunter Biden was indicted on separate charges related to his 2018 gun purchase.
This legal move reflects Hunter Biden and his legal team’s determination to vigorously defend themselves against inquiries from congressional Republicans. The suit also demonstrates their commitment to safeguarding Hunter’s privacy rights, even in the face of potential additional tax charges by the Justice Department, amidst his father’s re-election campaign.
The lawsuit, which was filed in Federal District Court in Washington, asserts that the IRS investigators violated taxpayer privacy rules and deliberately embarked on a campaign to embarrass Mr. Biden by publicly divulging confidential information. Although the specific claims made by the investigators, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, regarding political influence on the Justice Department’s investigation have been disputed by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and U.S. Attorney for Delaware David C. Weiss, the lawsuit maintains that Hunter Biden deserves the same rights and protections as any other American citizen.
Responding to the allegations, the IRS agents, their legal representatives, and House Republicans contend that the disclosures about Hunter Biden’s case were legally protected under whistle-blower provisions and were made public by the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax matters. The lawsuit rejects this argument and claims that the agents and their lawyers unlawfully disclosed additional information about the investigation in over 20 media interviews and public statements.
In addition to allegations of preferential treatment, the investigators disclosed damaging details about the energy deal involving Hunter Biden and a Chinese businessman. The suit argues that these disclosures, made without authorization, cannot be shielded by whistle-blower status. Ultimately, the lawsuit seeks to address the violation of Hunter Biden’s privacy rights and hold the IRS agents accountable for their alleged wrongful conduct.
FAQs
1. What is Hunter Biden suing the IRS for?
Hunter Biden is suing the IRS for violating his privacy rights by disclosing details of his taxes and investigation to Congress and the public.
2. Why did Hunter Biden file the lawsuit?
The lawsuit was filed to protect Hunter Biden’s privacy rights and to counter inquiries from congressional Republicans, despite facing potential further prosecution on tax charges.
3. What does the lawsuit claim?
The lawsuit claims that the IRS investigators violated taxpayer privacy rules and deliberately sought to embarrass Hunter Biden by publicly disclosing confidential information about his tax matters.
4. How do the defendants justify their actions?
The defendants argue that the disclosures were legally protected under whistle-blower provisions and were ultimately made public by the House Ways and Means Committee.
5. What other details were disclosed about the investigation?
The investigators disclosed evidence regarding Hunter Biden’s involvement in a proposed energy deal with a Chinese businessman, in which he mentioned his father’s name.
6. Is the lawsuit related to the Justice Department’s investigation?
While the lawsuit involves the IRS, it is not directly related to the Justice Department’s investigation into Hunter Biden’s conduct.
Sources:
Washington Post.