Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, is scheduled to appear in a federal court in Delaware on Tuesday to plead not guilty to three felony charges related to illegal possession of a handgun.
The 53-year-old lawyer and artist allegedly lied on forms required to purchase a .38-caliber Colt Cobra revolver in 2018, during a period when he was illegally using drugs. He is also charged with illegal possession of the firearm.
Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, informed the court of his client’s intention to plead not guilty at the arraignment scheduled for 10:00 am (1400 GMT) at a federal courthouse in Wilmington, the Biden family’s hometown.
Lowell had requested for Hunter Biden, who resides in California, to appear via video link, but this request was denied by Judge Christopher Burke.
The charges come after a plea deal with federal prosecutor David Weiss, which would have dropped the gun charges in exchange for Hunter Biden pleading guilty to two tax charges and avoiding prison, fell through in July. Weiss is still investigating potential tax charges against Hunter Biden.
Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings in Ukraine and China while his father served as vice president under Barack Obama have been a frequent subject of Republican criticism.
Despite this, no charges have been filed against him related to these dealings, and there is no credible evidence suggesting that his father was involved in any illegal activities.
Hunter Biden’s struggles with alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction have been well-documented.
His legal issues could potentially impact his father’s reelection campaign next year. Despite these challenges, President Biden has consistently supported his only surviving son, stating earlier this year that Hunter has “done nothing wrong.”
