Drama in Hunter Biden's trial: The plea deal between the son of the US president and the prosecution collapsed when the judge made it difficult for the prosecution and refused to serve as a rubber stamp. Now a prison sentence is back on the table for Biden Jr.
Brief background: As part of the plea deal, Hunter was supposed to plead guilty to failing to pay taxes from 2017 to 2018 when he was addicted to cocaine following the tragic death of his brother, Beau. As part of the deal, Biden Jr. also had to plead guilty to illegal possession of firearms while using drugs and agree to inspections to ensure he did not return to drugs.
Has the investigation into the Hunter Biden cases been disrupted? Credit: Reuters
The deal was agreed a few weeks ago, but today federal judge Mariellen Noreika surprised the lawsuit by asking whether the settlement would mean giving Biden Jr. immunity from suspicions that may arise in the future, adding that she was not prepared to serve as a rubber stamp.
Biden's lawyers were convinced the settlement would end Hunter's investigations, but prosecutors said they were still investigating whether Hunter broke the rules when he did not register as a foreign agent while working in China and Ukraine while his father was president.
Security forces secure the courthouse where Hunter Biden's case was held, Photo: GettyImages
At this stage, the parties embarked on urgent negotiations outside the courtroom, but the negotiations exploded. The judge gave the parties 14 days to reach a new settlement and update the court on developments.
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