Hunter Biden’s Law License Suspended After Verdict
Hold onto your seats because there's some major news about Hunter Biden that's creating quite a buzz. Hunter Biden’s license to practice law in Washington, D.C. has been suspended following a recent jury finding him guilty in his criminal gun trial. Let’s dive into the details of this unfolding story.
As of Tuesday morning, Hunter Biden is "suspended immediately from the practice of law" in D.C., pending a formal proceeding to determine whether this suspension will be upheld. This suspension follows a request from the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel in D.C. after Biden's guilty verdict on June 11. Interestingly, as of Tuesday morning, the D.C. Bar's website still lists Hunter Biden as being in "good standing" and "active." Biden, who earned his law degree from Yale University in 1996, has been licensed to practice in D.C. since 2007.
So, what led to this suspension? Hunter Biden was found guilty of lying about his drug use when purchasing a firearm in 2018. The jury convicted him on three charges: making a false statement in the purchase of a gun, making a false statement related to information required by a federally licensed gun dealer, and possession of a gun by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.
Despite pleading not guilty, prosecutors proved that Biden lied on a federal firearm form (ATF Form 4473) in October 2018 when he falsely stated that he was not an unlawful user of, or addicted to, controlled substances.
Biden's history of drug abuse played a significant role in the trial. His 2021 memoir, "Beautiful Things," which details his struggles with addiction, was referenced by both the prosecution and the defense. His defense attorney, Abbe Lowell, acknowledged Biden's past substance abuse but argued that he did not consider himself an active addict at the time of the gun purchase, citing his stint in rehab.
However, prosecutors presented evidence, including text messages and testimonies from ex-partners, proving that Biden was actively using drugs during that period.
The trial was emotional, with testimonies from three of Biden’s exes, including his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle and ex-girlfriend Zoe Kestan. Buhle described her fears and efforts to keep their daughters safe from his drug use, while Kestan recounted Biden’s rampant drug abuse, including smoking crack cocaine in hotel rooms and public bathrooms.
After nearly seven days of testimony and just three hours of jury deliberation, Biden was found guilty. His sentencing is expected later this year, though no date has been set.
In the wake of the trial, Biden’s defense team has filed motions requesting a new criminal trial, arguing that the federal court in Delaware lacked jurisdiction. This legal maneuvering adds another layer of complexity to an already dramatic situation.