A senior Justice Department official told congressional investigators last week that the years-long investigation into Hunter Biden’s eldest son received “closer scrutiny” than most cases — and required high-level approval to bring charges.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart Goldberg told staff members of the House Judiciary Committee on Oct. 25 that the Hunter investigation is considered an “important” case and has “closer oversight than other cases that are conducted more heavily,” according to a revised copy of his interview transcript. by The Post.
Goldberg’s testimony corroborated key details gleaned from past interviews of officials related to the eldest son’s investigation — but Justice Department lawyers prevented the senior official from getting specific about the “ongoing” case.
Two other DOJ tax officials – Mark Daly and Jack Morgan – were barred by the department from speaking to the committee.
Goldberg said “sensitive” cases like those involving the president’s children also require a “final sign-off” at the Justice Department level — contradicting sworn congressional testimony from Attorney General Merrick Garland.
A senior official at the Justice Department testified last week that the five-year investigation into Hunter Biden’s first child received “closer oversight” than most cases and required high-level approval. Getty Images Special counsel David Weiss, who started the Hunter investigation in Delaware, needs the DOJ’s Tax Division to approve charges, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart Goldberg said.AP
The Justice Department man further confirmed earlier testimony from an IRS whistleblower that special counsel David Weiss, who started the Hunter investigation while Delaware’s US attorney, needed the DOJ’s Tax Division to approve charges.
IRS supervisory special agent Gary Shapley and special agent Joseph Ziegler testified in July before the House Oversight Committee that US attorneys appointed by President Biden refused to cooperate with Weiss in the case.
The US attorneys — Matthew Graves of Washington, DC, and Martin Estrada of Los Angeles — confirmed the whistleblower’s account in interviews with the House Judiciary Committee.
An IRS whistleblower in July told the House Oversight Committee that the US attorney appointed by President Biden refused to cooperate with Weiss in the case.AP
Shapley and Ziegler also alleged in previously closed testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee that the Justice Department conducted interference during its wide-ranging investigation into Hunter Biden’s lucrative foreign business dealings.
They claim that federal prosecutors ignored their recommendation to bring criminal charges against the first son for allegedly failing to pay $2.2 million in taxes over six years and discouraged them from pursuing an investigation that would lead to the president.
IRS Director of Field Operations Michael Batdorf, in a separate interview with the House Judiciary Committee, also confirmed the whistleblower’s account that DOJ tax officials spoke out against Hunter Biden’s accusations during a June 2022 meeting.
US Attorneys Matthew Graves of Washington, DC (pictured), and Martin Estrada of Los Angeles confirmed the whistleblower’s account in interviews with the House Judiciary Committee.Bloomberg via Getty Images
Goldberg added in his testimony that if the Tax Division refuses to sign criminal charges, Weiss will have to appeal to the deputy attorney general’s office.
He remembered that had only happened once in the past three years.
Goldberg was the first federal official interviewed by the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee to testify that Weiss also needed a so-called “515 letter” to file any charges that Graves and Estrada refused to cooperate with.
Congressional Republicans have criticized prosecutors for offering the first child a “sweetheart deal” in June, in which he will receive two years of probation. Saquan Stimpson – CNP
“Letter 515” refers to the federal law that gives DOJ officials the right to “conduct any type of legal proceeding, civil or criminal, including grand jury proceedings and proceedings before a magistrate judge … whether or not he is a resident of the district that or not. that the proceedings are brought.”
Both Garland and Weiss have maintained in statements and letters to Congress that Delaware prosecutors have “ultimate authority” to pursue charges against Hunter Biden.
Congressional Republicans have criticized prosecutors for offering the first child a “sweetheart deal” in June, in which he will receive two years of probation after pleading guilty to tax offenses.
House Republicans in September launched an impeachment inquiry into the president to determine whether he abused his position as vice president.REUTERS
On Aug. 11, the attorney general elevated Weiss to special counsel status after the eldest son’s plea deal on tax and gun charges exploded in federal court on July 26, allowing Delaware prosecutors to pursue another tax fraud charge.
The following month, Weiss’ office slapped Hunter with three counts of lying about his crack cocaine use on a federal firearms purchase form. The first son has pleaded not guilty and will face trial in 2024.
Delaware prosecutors have so far declined to bring other charges discussed by federal investigators, including violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, bribery and sex trafficking.
House Republicans launched an impeachment inquiry against the president on September 12 to determine whether he abused his position as vice president and benefited from his son’s foreign business dealings.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
