DOJ investigating Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings, possible money laundering

By franzwalkerdw // 2020-12-23

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The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating the finances of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's son Hunter. The investigation looks to scrutinize some of the latter's Chinese business dealings and other transactions. Hunter Biden confirmed the existence of the investigation on Dec. 9, Wednesday, saying that he learned about it for the first time the day before. "I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors," the younger Biden said. The revelations have put a renewed spotlight on questions about Hunter Biden's business dealings, which dogged his father's White House campaign in the lead up to the Nov. 3 elections.

Investigation was launched back in 2018

The investigation was launched in 2018, a year before Hunter Biden's father Joe announced his candidacy for president. Investigators have been examining multiple financial issues. These include whether Hunter Biden and his associates violated tax and money laundering laws when conducting business dealings in foreign countries, principally China. A number of those transactions involved people who the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) believe sparked counterintelligence concerns. The latter is a common issue when dealing with Chinese businesses. Hunter Biden has a history of business dealings in a number of countries. Last year, a profile on him by The New Yorker detailed some of his dealings in China. These included how he accompanied his father on a 2013 trip to Beijing, where he met with an associate. In addition, he also acknowledged receiving a diamond from a Chinese energy tycoon who was interested in liquified natural gas projects. The younger Biden downplayed the idea that the gift could have been intended to affect his father's policy, telling the magazine that he gave the diamond to an associate.

“What would they be bribing me for? My dad wasn’t in office,” he said at the time.

Probe also looking into foreign money laundering and foreign business ties

While most of the focus on the investigation has been on Hunter Biden's tax returns it actually covers more than that.

Talking to Politico, a person with firsthand knowledge of the investigation has confirmed that, as of early last year, investigators in Delaware and Washington were also probing potential money laundering and Hunter Biden's foreign ties in general. The person spoke to the outlet on the condition of anonymity as they're not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

A number of the foreign businessmen whom Hunter Biden has had business dealing with have since faced legal scrutiny and even jail time. He served on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisima, who's founder Mykola Zlochevsky has faced corruption allegations.

Hunter Biden also pursued deals with Chinese oil magnate Ye Jianming as well as an associate of Ye, Patrick Ho. The Southern District of New York convicted Patrick Ho in 2018 of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act over his attempts to bribe government officials in Uganda and Chad. Ye, on the other hand, was detained and put under investigation by Chinese authorities in 2018 on suspicion of economic crimes and bribing Communist Party officials.

In 2018, the Southern District of New York also convicted yet another business associate of Hunter Biden's, Devon Archer, on fraud charges. As part of that case, bank records surfaced showing that Hunter Biden had received foreign payments. (Related: Hunter Biden also did business with Kazakhstan.)

Follow Corruption.news for more into Hunter Biden's illegal business dealings abroad.

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