DOJ excluded IRS team from briefing on Biden bribery allegations, says Sen. Grassley.
DOJ Briefs Prosecutors and FBI on Alleged Bribery Scheme Involving Joe Biden
According to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the Department of Justice (DOJ) held a briefing for federal prosecutors and FBI investigators regarding a scheme that alleges former Vice President Joe Biden accepted a criminal bribe from a foreign national. However, IRS investigators were left out of the loop on these allegations.
In a letter to U.S. Attorney David Weiss, Grassley revealed that FBI investigators and Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Leslie Wolf were made aware of the criminal bribery allegations against Biden. The information was recorded in an FD-1023 form, which is used by the FBI to document potential criminal activity.
House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has been leading the investigation into these allegations in the lower chamber. The form suggests that Joe Biden, through his son Hunter Biden, received at least $5 million from foreign nationals. However, Comer claims to have uncovered additional evidence indicating that the elder Biden received at least $10 million.
Flanked by House Republicans, U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Nov. 17, 2022. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Despite an ongoing IRS investigation into Hunter Biden, Grassley claims that IRS investigators were excluded from the briefing. Grassley cited information provided to his office by individuals aware of the meeting.
Grassley addressed the lack of action taken by the Justice Department and FBI in investigating these allegations. He questioned the steps taken by Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray, emphasizing that they have failed to provide answers. Grassley also highlighted the fact that potentially hundreds of DOJ and FBI agents had access to the FD-1023 form, which has only been shown to Congress in a redacted form.
David Weiss, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, is leading the investigation into the allegations against Hunter Biden. Recently, Weiss reached a plea deal with Hunter Biden, who agreed to plead guilty to illegal possession of a firearm and minor tax charges. This deal has been criticized by Republicans as a “sweetheart deal.”
Hunter Biden arrives for a toast during a State Dinner in honor of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the White House on June 22, 2023. (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
In a letter, Weiss stated that the investigation is still ongoing. Grassley questioned whether the investigation includes criminal bribery related to the alleged scheme involving a foreign national, Joe Biden, and Hunter Biden.
Grassley also inquired about Weiss’s actions regarding the allegations disclosed by Comer.
On June 22, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.) revealed additional allegations from IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley. Shapley claimed that the DOJ and higher-ups at the IRS interfered with and stalled an investigation into Hunter Biden’s felony tax violations.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.) states at a June 22 hearing in Washington that Hunter Biden may have received “preferential treatment” from the IRS and DOJ over his tax fraud allegations. (Joseph Lord/The Epoch Times)
The IRS ultimately recommended three charges against Hunter Biden, including a felony attempt to defeat or evade tax charge, making felony fraudulent or false statements, and willful failure to file returns, supply information, or pay tax. These tax crimes involved approximately $2.2 million in unreported income to the IRS.
According to Smith, Hunter Biden received a total of around $17.3 million from foreign sources in Romania, China, and Ukraine. This includes payments from the Chinese company State Energy HK, a large diamond, and a new Porsche.
Smith criticized the plea deal received by Hunter Biden, highlighting the leniency of the charges compared to the seriousness of the crimes. He also alleged that officials at the DOJ prevented legal action on these charges.
Alleged Misconduct by Assistant US Attorney
In his letter to Weiss, Grassley raised specific allegations against AUSA Leslie Wolf, describing her conduct as “questionable and obstructive.”
U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware David Weiss in a file image. (Department of Justice via The Epoch Times)
During his testimony to the Ways and Means Committee, whistleblower Gary Shapley stated that AUSA Wolf prevented investigators from obtaining information about Joe Biden’s involvement in Hunter Biden’s criminal business arrangements.
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