Hunter Biden has pleaded guilty to all nine charges in his federal tax case on Thursday.
The unexpected move came on the same day his trial was set to begin in Los Angeles.
District Judge Mark Scarsi accepted the plea, and sentencing is scheduled for December 16, after the presidential election.
Biden’s legal team had initially proposed an “Alford plea,” which would have allowed him to maintain his innocence while accepting punishment.
However, prosecutors objected, and the judge wanted time to review the matter. Instead, Biden’s team changed course and entered an “open plea,” admitting to the tax offenses without a pre-arranged plea bargain.
Prosecutor Leo Wise expressed surprise at the sudden turn of events, saying, “We were as shocked as everyone else in the courtroom this morning.”
Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, had earlier stated that there was no agreement between the parties, and the only offer from prosecutors was for Biden to plead guilty to all nine counts.
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The tax case allegations include felony tax evasion, filing fraudulent tax returns, and failing to pay and file taxes.
Prosecutors claim Biden failed to pay $1.4 million in federal taxes and used his money on luxury items instead of paying taxes.
Biden’s legal troubles have been ongoing, with a previous conviction on federal gun charges in Delaware.
His father, President Joe Biden, has stated he will not pardon his son in either case.
The plea proceedings were complex and drew comparisons to a similar hearing last summer in Delaware.
Biden’s wife, Melissa Cohen, was initially barred from the courtroom but later allowed in. Kevin Morris, an attorney and friend to the president’s son, was present and had provided funds for Biden to settle his federal tax debts in 2021.
The case has drawn attention from Tony Bobulinski, a former business partner and critic of the Biden family, who attended the hearing.
President Joe Biden’s stance on pardoning his son remains unclear, but he still has the ability to do so.
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