Current:Home > MyJudge refuses to dismiss federal gun case against Hunter Biden -WealthX
Judge refuses to dismiss federal gun case against Hunter Biden
View
Date:2025-04-18 02:27:40
A federal judge in Delaware refused Friday to throw out a federal gun case against Hunter Biden, rejecting the president's son's claim that he is being prosecuted for political purposes as well as other arguments.
U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika denied defense efforts to scuttle the prosecution charging Hunter Biden with lying about his drug use in October 2018 on a form to buy a gun that he kept for about 11 days.
Hunter Biden's lawyers had argued the case was politically motivated and asserted that an immunity provision from an original plea deal that fell apart still holds. They had also challenged the appointment of special counsel David Weiss, the U.S. attorney in Delaware, to lead the prosecution.
The trial is tentatively scheduled to begin in early June.
Noreika, who was appointed to the bench by former President Donald Trump, has not yet ruled on a challenge to the constitutionality of the gun charges.
Hunter Biden faces separate tax counts in Los Angeles alleging he failed to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes over three years while living an "extravagant lifestyle," during his days of using drugs. The judge overseeing that case refused to dismiss the charges earlier this month.
Biden has pleaded not guilty in both cases. A representative for his legal team didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
The president's son has acknowledged struggling with an addiction to crack cocaine during that period in 2018, but his lawyers have said he didn't break the law and another nonviolent, first-time offender would not have been charged.
Defense attorney Abbe Lowell had argued Hunter Biden was "selectively charged" for improper political purposes. They argued that Weiss "buckled under political pressure" to indict the president's son amid criticism of the plea deal from Trump and other Republicans.
Norieka said in her ruling that Biden's team provided "nothing concrete" to support a conclusion that anyone actually influenced the special counsel's team.
"The pressure campaign from Congressional Republicans may have occurred around the time that Special Counsel decided to move forward with indictment instead of pretrial diversion, but the Court has been given nothing credible to suggest that the conduct of those lawmakers (or anyone else) had any impact on Special Counsel," the judge wrote. "It is all speculation."
- In:
- Guns
- Hunter Biden
veryGood! (2656)
Related
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- A Tree Grows in Birmingham
- Wild mushrooms suspected of killing 3 who ate a family lunch together in Australia
- Gisele Bündchen Reacts to Tom Brady's Message About His Incredible Birthday Trip to Africa
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Judge blocks Colorado law raising age to buy a gun to 21
- Elon Musk says fight with Mark Zuckerberg will stream live on X, formerly Twitter
- Trademark tiff over 'Taco Tuesday' ends. Taco Bell is giving away free tacos to celebrate.
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- ESPN strikes $1.5B deal to jump into sports betting with Penn Entertainment
Ranking
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan likely out for rest of season: 'Surgery is an option'
- 'The Boys' 'Gen V' has its first trailer—here's how to watch
- The FAA asks the FBI to consider criminal charges against 22 more unruly airline passengers
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- West Virginia University president plans to step down in 2025
- Chris Noth Admits He Strayed From His Wife While Denying Sexual Assault Allegations
- Kentucky’s Democratic governor releases public safety budget plan amid tough reelection campaign
Recommendation
NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
Nevada governor seeks to use coronavirus federal funds for waning private school scholarships
Beauty on a Budget: The Best Rated Drugstore Concealers You Can Find on Amazon for $10 or Less
3 years and 300 miles later, Texas family reunited with lost dog
San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
'The Boys' 'Gen V' has its first trailer—here's how to watch
More arrest warrants could be issued after shocking video shows Montgomery, Alabama, riverfront brawl
19 Shower Caddy Essentials You Need for Your Dorm