Hunter Biden will go on trial for federal tax charges next September, after a judge agreed on Wednesday to postpone the trial in California that was scheduled for next month.
Federal Judge Mark C. Scarsi granted a request to adjourn the case until Sept. 5, after defense attorneys argued at a hearing that they needed more time to prepare as Hunter Biden also faces a separate trial on weapons charges, which is scheduled for June 3 in Delaware.
Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty in both cases, and his lawyers have assured that both are politically motivated. Both cases are presided over by judges nominated to the bench by then-President Donald Trump, a Republican who will face President Joe Biden in the November election.
The trials add to a bitter presidential race in which Trump’s allies seek to capitalize on the embarrassing details of the president’s son’s complicated life to attack his father, even though Trump himself is going through his own legal problems. The former president faces four criminal cases, including an ongoing trial in New York for altering financial records to cover up improper payments.
Hunter Biden’s lawyers, who have tried to have both cases dismissed and postponed, say they have had problems obtaining expert witnesses for the trial.
The prosecution criticized the postponement request, stating that it was a clear case of tax evasion. Prosecutor Leo Wise told the judge: “This is the time to take this case to trial.”
“He is not above the rule of law and should be treated like any other defendant”; Justice Department special counsel David Weiss said in a recent court filing.
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