Hunter Biden hired by Romanian to ‘influence’ US agencies: Prosecutors

An attorney for Hunter Biden didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Prosecutors plan to introduce evidence that Hunter Biden and his business associate received compensation from a foreign principal who was attempting to influence US policy and public opinion,” according to the filing. Popoviciu wanted US government agencies to probe the Romanian bribery investigation he was facing in the hopes that would end his legal trouble, according to prosecutors.

Popoviciu is identified only in court papers as G.P., but the details line up with information released in the congressional investigation and media reporting about Hunter Biden’s legal work in Romania.

Popoviciu was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2017 after being convicted of real estate fraud. He denied any wrongdoing. An attorney who previously represented Popoviciu didn’t immediately respond to a phone message Wednesday.

Prosecutors say Hunter Biden agreed with his business associate to help Popoviciu fight the criminal charges against him. But prosecutors say they were concerned that lobbying work might cause political ramifications for Joe Biden, so the arrangement was structured in a way that concealed the true nature of the work for Popoviciu, prosecutors allege.

Hunter Biden’s business associate and Popoviciu signed an agreement to make it look like Popoviciu’s payments were for management services to real estate prosperities in Romania. However, prosecutors said, That was not actually what G.P. was paying for.

In fact, Popoviciu and Hunter’s business associate agreed that they would be paid for their work to attempt to influence US government agencies to investigate the Romanian investigation,” prosecutors said. Hunter Biden’s business associate was paid more than $3 million, which was split with Hunter and another business partner, prosecutors say.

The claims were made in court papers as prosecutors responded to a request by Hunter Biden’s legal team to bar from his upcoming trial any reference to allegations of improper political influence that have dogged the president’s son for years. While Republicans’ investigation has raised ethical questions, no evidence has emerged that the president acted corruptly or accepted bribes in his current role or his previous office as vice president.

Hunter Biden’s lawyers have said in court papers that he has been the target of politically motivated attacks and conspiracy theories about his foreign business dealings. But they noted he has never been charged with any crime relating to these unfounded allegations, and the Special Counsel should thus be precluded from even raising such issues at trial.

Hunter Biden’s trial set to begin next month in Los Angeles centers on charges that he failed to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes over four years during a period in which he has acknowledged struggling with a drug addiction.

Prosecutors say they won’t introduce any evidence that Hunter Biden was directly paid by a foreign government or evidence that the defendant received compensation for actions taken by his father that impacted national or international politics.

Still, prosecutors say what Hunter Biden agreed to do for Popoviciu is relevant at trial because it demonstrates his state and mind and intent during the years he’s accused of failing to pay his taxes.

“It is also evidence that the defendant’s actions do not reflect someone with a diminished capacity, given that he agreed to attempt to influence US public policy and receive millions of dollars” in the agreement with his business associate, prosecutors wrote.

The tax trial comes months after Hunter Biden was convicted of three felony charges over the purchase of a gun in 2018. Prosecutors argued that the president’s son lied on a mandatory gun-purchase form by saying he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.

He could face up to 25 years in prison at sentencing set for Nov. 13 in Wilmington, Delaware, but as a first-time offender he is likely to get far less time or avoid prison entirely.

First Published: Aug 08 2024 | 8:21 AM IST