Hunter Biden says his taxes are under investigation

The son of President-elect Joe Biden says the US attorney’s office in Delaware is ‘investigating (his) tax affairs’.

Hunter Biden is ‘confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately’. Picture: AFP

Hunter Biden, the son of President-elect Joe Biden, said in a statement Wednesday that the US attorney’s office in Delaware is “investigating my tax affairs,” putting his financial dealings in the spotlight, as his father builds his administration.

Hunter Biden said he takes the matter “very seriously” and is “confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately.” The Justice Department declined to comment on Wednesday.

A spokeswoman at the US attorney’s office in Delaware declined to comment, citing DOJ policy regarding ongoing investigations.

The criminal investigation that included tax issues began in 2018, according to a person familiar with the matter. It is limited to Hunter Biden and his business dealings and doesn’t implicate other members of his family or the president-elect, another person said.

The younger Mr Biden said in the statement that he learned about the investigation for the first time Tuesday through his legal counsel.

The statement, which was circulated by Joe Biden’s transition team, also said the president-elect is “deeply proud of his son, who has fought through difficult challenges, including the vicious personal attacks of recent months, only to emerge stronger.” The announcement of the investigation comes more than a month before the presidential inauguration, and as the president-elect is weighing a decision on his nominee for attorney general, who could have oversight of the investigation if it extends into the new administration. A person familiar with Mr Biden’s transition said a decision is expected next week.

The transition’s statement didn’t give any more detail about the investigation. A person familiar with the younger Mr Biden said it wasn’t related to President Trump’s criticism of him, largely focusing on his business dealings in Ukraine and China, during the presidential campaign.

Dow Jones