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House Judiciary sues DOJ for Hunter Biden’s testimony in tax case

 March 23, 2024

In a bold move, the House Judiciary Committee has taken legal action against Justice Department officials Mark Daly and Jack Morgan.

The lawsuit seeks to enforce subpoenas for their testimony on the Hunter Biden tax investigation, marking a significant step in the impeachment inquiry into President Biden, as Fox News reports.

The committee's legal action stems from the handling of the tax evasion case against Hunter Biden, specifically focusing on decisions made in the early stages of the investigation.

Republicans allege that Daly and Morgan played pivotal roles in the initial decision not to prosecute Hunter Biden for tax evasion during the 2014 and 2015 tax years. This decision was later reversed, raising questions about the influence of external pressures.

A Deep Dive into the Legal Battle

Daly and Morgan, identified as key figures in these prosecutorial decisions, were subpoenaed by the House Judiciary Committee in September 2023 and February 2024, respectively. However, their compliance with these subpoenas was obstructed by directives from the Department of Justice (DOJ), prompting the committee to file the lawsuit against them in their official capacity as DOJ employees.

The Department of Justice has expressed its willingness to work with Congress, stating through a spokesperson, "The Department of Justice is committed to working with Congress in good faith." Despite this, the DOJ criticized the committee's approach to seeking depositions from line prosecutors, highlighting efforts to protect the integrity of ongoing criminal investigations.

This clash underscores a broader investigation by House Republicans into whether political influences have affected prosecutorial decisions in the Hunter Biden case. The lawsuit aims to uncover the details surrounding the decision-making process, particularly the initial reluctance and subsequent reversal on pursuing charges against Hunter Biden.

The Charges Against Hunter Biden

Special counsel David Weiss brought charges against Hunter Biden in December, accusing him of a four-year tax evasion scheme and the filing of false tax reports.

Biden has pleaded not guilty to three felonies and six misdemeanors, all related to failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes, a sum which has since been settled.

The indictment outlines Hunter Biden's misuse of funds through his company, Owasco, PC, including extravagant spending that diverted money away from owed taxes.

These allegations have been bolstered by testimony from IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, who have criticized the DOJ's handling of the investigation and supported the charges brought against Biden.

Shapley, in particular, has been vocal about the missed opportunity to charge Hunter Biden with tax evasion for the year 2014 and for filing false tax returns in 2018 and 2019. He pointed out the failure to report approximately $400,000 in income from Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings in Hunter Biden's 2014 tax returns.

Whistleblowers Highlight DOJ's Alleged Failures

The involvement of IRS whistleblowers has added a layer of complexity to the case, as their testimony before Congress has shed light on their frustrations with the DOJ's decision-making process. These officials have openly criticized the justice system's handling of the Hunter Biden investigation, suggesting a lack of impartiality and rigor.

Amid these controversies, the Justice Department has attempted to maintain its stance on cooperation and integrity. "It is unfortunate that despite this extraordinary cooperation from senior DOJ officials, the Committee has decided, after waiting for months, to continue seeking to depose line prosecutors about sensitive information from ongoing criminal investigations and prosecutions," a DOJ spokesperson remarked.

This ongoing legal and political saga not only brings to the forefront issues of legal ethics and governance but also highlights the intense scrutiny surrounding the Biden family and the implications for the wider political landscape.

Conclusion: Unpacking the Layers of Inquiry

In conclusion, the House Judiciary Committee's lawsuit against Mark Daly and Jack Morgan marks a critical juncture in the investigation into Hunter Biden's tax affairs. This action underlines the committee's determination to probe the early decisions not to prosecute Hunter Biden for tax evasion, the reversal of these decisions, and the alleged external pressures involved.

With the DOJ's commitment to cooperation juxtaposed against criticisms from IRS whistleblowers and the committee's insistence on transparency, the unfolding narrative is a testament to the complex interplay between politics and justice. The outcome of this legal battle may have far-reaching implications for all parties involved and the broader political discourse.