LOS ANGELES: Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, on Thursday offered a guilty plea to charges in his tax evasion case, just as jury selection was about to start.
Lawyers said the 54-year-old was prepared to enter the plea, acknowledging the possibility of conviction, but would uphold his innocence in the case.
US District Judge Mark Scarsi, in Los Angeles, called a recess to allow prosecutors to discuss the matter.
Hunter Biden’s lawyer Abbe Lowell has said the president’s son would submit an Alford plea, meaning he would accept a guilty verdict while upholding his innocence. Prosecutors said this is the first time they’re hearing of Biden’s plea.
Biden is charged with failing to pay at least $1.4 million in federal taxes while having a luxurious lifestyle.
In December, a federal grand jury charged him with three felony tax offences and six misdemeanor offences, including failure to pay his taxes, tax evasion and filing a fake return.
