Hunter Biden Case: FBI Agent Verifies IRS Whistleblower’s Claim

Republicans in charge of the House Oversight Committee's investigation of Hunter Biden assert that an FBI agent has verified allegations that Hunter received preferential treatment from investigators.

The Committee is investigating whether investigators looking into Hunter Biden's tax affairs and his lying on a firearms permit about drug use gave the 53-year-old preferential treatment.

IRs Whistleblower Allegations Against Hunter Biden

Two IRS whistleblowers, one anonymous and the other named Gary Shapley, allege that Hunter Biden was treated more leniently than average Citizens. Monday, the Committee tweeted that an FBI agent who worked on the case concurred with Shapley that Hunter received preferential treatment.

Democrats quickly disregarded the agent's assertion, stating disagreements between the FBI and DOJ over how to proceed with an investigation were commonplace, according to Daily Mail. Shapley and his colleague reported a pattern of slow-walking investigative steps and deferring enforcement actions in the months preceding Joe Biden's 2020 election victory.

It is unclear whether the conflict they describe represents an internal disagreement over how to proceed with the investigation or a pattern of interference and favoritism. Department policy has long cautioned prosecutors to exercise caution when prosecuting cases with potential political overtones during election season to avoid influencing the outcome of an election.

On Wednesday, Shapley will testify before the House Oversight Committee. Shapley has already informed the House Ways and Means Committee that US Attorney David Weiss, who has led the multi-year Hunter Biden investigation, has stated that he has yet to make the final decision on charges.

Hunter Biden Tax Affairs

According to Shapley, Weiss claimed he was denied special counsel authority. Weiss refuted Shapley's claims, stating that he was given carte blanche to do as he pleased and never sought special counsel authority. The House Oversight Committee, chaired by Kentucky Republican James Comer, deemed the FBI agent's testimony startling.

According to them, the Biden transition team was informed that Hunter Biden would be interviewed about his tax affairs and the gun allegation, but Hunter refused to communicate with them. In October 2018, he was charged with possessing a Colt Cobra.38 Special for 11 days despite knowing he was a narcotic user. Hunter agreed to a plea bargain on both offenses last month and will appear in court at the end of this month.

Per NY Post, it was not immediately obvious whether additional information provided by the IRS whistleblowers was corroborated by the FBI official, who was not identified by the Oversight Committee but whose identity appears to be publicly available from Shapley's deposition to the House Ways and Means Committee.

The White House and Hunter Biden's counsel did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did the office of the senior Democrat on the Oversight Committee, Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin. The judge must still penalize Hunter's plea agreement on two misdemeanor tax avoidance counts and a gun felony that will be expunged upon completion of probation. Hunter's first court date is scheduled for the following week.

Shapley contacted Congress in April after managing the IRS's thirteen-member Hunter Biden investigation team for over three years. One week after Shapley came forward, Hunter Biden's counsel conferred with Justice Department officials in Washington, a sign that a decision on charges is imminent.

Since its inception in 2018, Shapley's subordinate, who supported some of his allegations, has worked on the case. The IRS agents assert that Delaware US Attorney David Weiss was prevented from bringing additional charges against Hunter Biden in Southern California and Washington, DC, by President Biden's appointed US attorneys, contradicting Attorney General Merrick Garland's assertions of prosecutorial independence. Weiss has released carefully worded statements that suggest he contests the allegation.

According to IRS whistleblowers, Hunter Biden's tax evasion allegations expired due to the interference of Justice Department officials. In what detractors termed a "slap on the wrist," the president's eldest son avoided charges for money laundering and potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.