HUNTER Biden has arrived at a federal courthouse for the start of jury selection in his tax evasion trial.
The president’s son, 54, emerged at a Los Angeles courthouse on Thursday morning, clutching his wife’s hand as he’s set to lock eyes with potential jurors for his upcoming trial.
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In a similar fashion as his federal gun case in Delaware, Hunter arrived with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, by his side.
The embattled son, who wore a dark-colored suit, white shirt, and tie while holding a journal in his left hand, did not address the media as he entered the federal courthouse doors.
Jury selection is expected to last two days, with opening statements slated to begin on September 9.
Hunter, who is still awaiting sentencing after being convicted of federal gun charges in June, is accused of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in federal taxes between 2016 and 2019.
He pleaded not guilty after being indicted on felony tax evasion charges in December 2023.
Hunter is facing a maximum 17-year prison sentence.
HUNTER’S ‘LAVISH SPENDING’
Federal prosecutors said Hunter engaged in a four-year scheme to avoid paying taxes while spending millions on an extravagant lifestyle.
Hunter blew millions of dollars on drugs, escorts, girlfriends, luxury hotels, exotic cars, and clothing, according to the indictment.
More than $683,000 in payments were made to various women over the four-year period, according to federal prosecutors.
An additional $400,000 was spent on clothing and accessories, while $189,000 went toward “adult entertainment.”
Hunter allegedly used a business line of credit for personal expenses, including a $10,000 membership at an exotic sex club and over $27,000 spent on online pornography websites.
“In short, everything but taxes,” prosecutor Leo Wise wrote.
Prosecutors said Hunter partially enriched himself due to “lucrative foreign deals” in China, Ukraine, Russia, and elsewhere.
He earned more than $7 million between 2016 and 2020, according to court filings.
However, Hunter has said he belatedly paid all his pending tax debts after regaining his sobriety in 2019.
He’s admitted to battling yearslong drug and alcohol addiction at the time he is accused of committing the tax evasion crimes.
Mark Geragos, Hunter’s attorney, said in a pretrial hearing in August that they plan to highlight the defendant’s crippling addiction as the centerpiece of the defense.
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