Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, is set to change his plea in a federal tax case as he seeks to avoid a trial, his defense attorney announced on Thursday, just as jury selection was about to commence.
Defense lawyer Abbe Lowell informed the judge that Hunter Biden intends to alter his not guilty plea, following his recent conviction on gun charges in a separate case. Details of the new plea were not provided.
Hunter Biden’s other attorney, Mark Geragos, revealed via text that Biden plans to enter an Alford plea.
This type of plea allows a defendant to acknowledge that the evidence against them is strong enough for a conviction without admitting guilt.
“There is overwhelming evidence of the defendant’s guilt,” Lowell told the court. “This can be resolved today. It’s not a complicated issue.”
Hunter Biden faces both misdemeanor and felony charges for allegedly evading at least $1.4 million in taxes over a four-year period, while earning millions from foreign business ventures.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 12 and has indicated plans to appeal the conviction.
