Judge’s Release Order to Hunter Biden Lists Several Things He Must Now Do to Avoid Jail!
If first son Hunter Biden wants to stay out of jail after his plea bargain agreement with federal prosecutors went haywire on Wednesday, he will have to meet several court-ordered requirements.
As conditions of his release, U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika ordered Hunter to “actively seek employment,” lay off alcohol and drugs, submit to random drug testing, and not have a gun, Fox News reported.
Last month, Hunter Biden was charged with two misdemeanor offenses for failing to pay over $100,000 in taxes on an income exceeding $1.5 million in both 2017 and 2018.
He was supposed to simply plead guilty on Wednesday after reaching a sweetheart plea deal that would keep him out of jail but place him on a two-year probation.
The concurrent agreements confused the judge, who stated that the lawyers must resolve technical issues, including clarifying her role in overseeing the gun agreement, before proceeding further.
“But the plea deal collapsed during a court hearing after Judge Noreika raised concerns about the terms of the agreement and her role in the proceedings,” Fox News noted further, adding:
On Wednesday, prosecutors confirmed that Hunter Biden is still under active investigation, but they did not disclose any specifics. After the plea bargain fell apart, he then entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.
The unexpected collapse of the proceedings came as a surprise, considering the years-long investigation and the meticulously negotiated resolution that took several weeks to craft. The resolution had involved extensive discussions between Justice Department prosecutors and Hunter Biden’s legal team, Fox News reported.
The intention behind the plea deal was to clear up legal problems for Hunter Biden and avoid a trial. However, Republicans claimed that he received preferential treatment, while former President Donald Trump has faced unfair persecution.
“District Judge Noreika did the right thing by refusing to rubberstamp Hunter Biden’s sweetheart plea deal,” said House Oversight Committee chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky, according to Fox News. “But let’s be clear: Hunter’s sweetheart plea deal belongs in the trash.”
Fox News reported on Wednesday: “Judge Maryellen Noreika did not accept the plea agreement, questioning the constitutionality–specifically the diversion clause and the immunity Hunter Biden would receive. The judge pressed federal prosecutors on the investigation and questioned whether there was the possibility for future charges, and asked prosecutors if Hunter Biden was currently under active investigation. Prosecutors said he was, but would not answer specifically what the president’s son is under investigation for.”
The outlet added: “Prosecutors on Wednesday said Hunter Biden pleading guilty to the two misdemeanor tax offenses would not immunize him from future charges. The judge asked whether a potential violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act was under consideration, but prosecutors were tight-lipped on the matter. The judge put the court in recess and asked that federal prosecutors and Biden’s legal team discuss the plea deal, telling the court that they did not appear to agree on the terms
