Hunter Biden’s “sweetheart plea deal” has fallen apart, according to multiple reports Wednesday.
Prosecutors had recommended two years of probation for Biden, a virtual slap on the wrist amid ample evidence of more serious crimes.
Noreika reportedly called a second recess in the court proceedings as the plea deal unraveled.
According to the Associated Press, the judge “expressed concern over a related agreement on a more serious gun possession charge.”
Last month, Biden was charged with possession of a firearm by a person who is a known drug user, a felony. He had a Colt Cobra .38 Special for 11 days in October 2018. He agreed to enter into a diversion agreement, which means that he would not technically plead guilty to the crime. As long as he adhered to the terms of his agreement, the case would be wiped from his record. If not, the deal would be withdrawn. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Noreika reportedly said she was concerned about the language in the diversion agreement, which included “details about not prosecuting Biden for tax crimes in the future,” given Hunter Biden is still under investigation. The judge urged the lawyers to get back together and discuss it.
“I think having you guys talk more makes sense,” she told the attorneys, according to the AP.
Hunter, according to CBS News’ Catherine Herridge, became visibly uncomfortable in court as his plea deal fell apart.
A plea agreement between federal prosecutors and Hunter Biden has fallen apart and the judge has given the parties 14 days to clarify her questions with the deal.
"This was an extraordinary scene that unfolded in the federal courthouse," @CBS_Herridge reports. pic.twitter.com/LSnx5xppIt
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 26, 2023
On Tuesday, Biden’s legal team was accused of pulling a dirty trick to block the release of damning evidence ahead of his court appearance.
Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee filed court documents urging Noreika to consider testimony from the two IRS whistleblowers who alleged Justice Department interference in the investigation.
Shortly after their motion was filed, a court clerk received a call requesting that “sensitive grand jury, taxpayer and Social Security information” be kept under seal, according to an oral order from the judge. The clerk said the lawyer gave her name and said she worked with an attorney from the Ways and Means Committee but was in fact a lawyer with the defense team.
Noreika demanded the defense team show why she should not consider sanctioning them for “misrepresentations to the court.” Defense attorneys responded that their lawyer had represented herself truthfully from the start and called the matter a misunderstanding.
SHOCKING: On the eve of his court date, Hunter's lawyers pulled a surprising move! Pretending to be a Republican attorney, they called the courthouse clerk and admitted their mistake: 'Our bad, we didn't really mean to do that.' #LegalDrama #CourtCasepic.twitter.com/CvBYkqefq4
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) July 26, 2023
Meanwhile, Joe Biden has said very little about the case publicly, except to say “I’m very proud of my son.”
When asked about the plea deal falling apart, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said she had not spoken with the president today because Biden has been “busy working on behalf of the American people.”
Biden, however, had no public events on his schedule, Wednesday.
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE: "I have not spoken to the president today. He has been busy."
Biden has nothing on his public schedule today. pic.twitter.com/8BZ9odx53X
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 26, 2023
According to Fox News, Noreika asked the prosecution if there was an “ongoing, separate, existing” investigation into Hunter Biden, and the answer was yes. Noreika reportedly had concerns that plea deal would give Hunter immunity against future charges, “and she wasn’t okay with that.”
Update:
The scandal-plagued former[?] drug addict arrived at the courthouse via motorcade.
JUST IN: Hunter Biden arrives via motorcade to a Delaware courthouse. He is expected to plead guilty to multiple federal crimes.
— Liz Willis (@LizWillis_) July 26, 2023
According to the House Oversight Committee, the Justice Department revealed that Hunter is under investigation for allegedly violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
🚨🚨🚨
Today, the Department of Justice revealed Hunter Biden is under investigation for being a foreign agent.
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) July 26, 2023