A California judge has granted immunity for Hallie Biden to testify against Hunter Biden in his upcoming criminal tax trial next month. Hallie Biden, the widow of Beau Biden and ex of Hunter Biden, previously indicated to prosecutors that she would be unwilling to testify at the trial beginning Sept. 5 “on the basis of her privilege against self-incrimination,” according to a court filing obtained by Fox News. Biden is charged with failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019, while also filing false tax returns. He allegedly used the funds to live lavishly, including spending millions of dollars on drugs, escorts, luxury cars, and other high-priced items. U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi wrote this week that “it is ordered … Hallie Biden give testimony or provide other information which she refuses to give or to provide on the basis of her privilege against self-incrimination as to all matters about which he may be interrogated in the course of these proceedings.”
“It is further ordered that no testimony or other information compelled under this order, or any information directly or indirectly derived from such testimony or information, shall be used against Hallie Biden in any criminal case, except that she shall not be exempted by this order from prosecution for perjury, giving a false statement, or otherwise failing to comply with this order,” he added. Hallie Biden testified against Hunter under the same immunity arrangement during his federal gun trial in Delaware earlier this year, according to the Washington Examiner.
Hunter Biden was found guilty on all counts by a Delaware jury in his federal gun trial. He is charged with three felonies and six misdemeanors in the California tax case. The trial was initially scheduled to begin on June 20, but Scarsi, who is presiding over the case, granted Hunter Biden’s request to delay the trial.
In June, Hunter Biden was convicted by a federal jury in Delaware of lying about his illegal drug use while filling out a form to purchase a gun. Hallie Biden, daughter in-law of President Biden, departs from the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building after testifying in the gun trial of Hunter Biden on June 6, 2024, in Wilmington, Delaware.
President Biden, left, and Hunter Biden, right, are pictured during the Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 1, 2024. Fox News’ Louis Casiano and David Spunt contributed to this report. Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.
Additional Information:
This development in the Hunter Biden tax trial sheds light on the intricate legal proceedings surrounding the case. The granting of immunity to Hallie Biden to testify against Hunter Biden underscores the seriousness of the charges he is facing. The details about how Hunter Biden allegedly used the funds for lavish expenses provide insight into the nature of the allegations against him. Moreover, the involvement of family members, such as Hallie Biden, in the legal proceedings adds a layer of complexity to the case.
The decision by the judge to delay the trial further prolongs the legal battle that Hunter Biden is entangled in. This delay could have implications on the timeline and outcome of the trial, potentially affecting the legal strategies of both the prosecution and the defense. The previous conviction of Hunter Biden in his federal gun trial in Delaware adds a precedent to his legal history, which could impact the current tax trial in California.
Overall, the ongoing developments in the Hunter Biden tax trial continue to attract public attention and scrutiny, especially given his familial connections and the nature of the charges against him. The intricate legal maneuvers and courtroom drama surrounding the case highlight the complexities of the justice system and the challenges faced by individuals involved in high-profile legal battles.
