IRS Officials Testify Privately in GOP Hunter Biden Inquiry

IRS Officials Testify Privately in GOP Hunter Biden Inquiry.An IRS employee with purported insights into the federal investigation concerning President Biden’s son recently provided testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee behind closed doors.

IRS Officials Testify Privately in GOP Hunter Biden Inquiry

This development comes as part of a heightened inquiry into Hunter Biden’s business activities by House Republicans. A second IRS employee is scheduled to provide private testimony in the coming days. The identities of these individuals remain undisclosed due to the sensitive nature of the inquiry.

GOP Ongoing Probe into Hunter Biden Business Dealings

House Republicans have been actively investigating Hunter Biden’s business dealings since assuming control of the House last year. Their interest in this matter gained momentum following allegations from two IRS agents who claimed that the Justice Department had mishandled the investigations related to the President’s son.

Subpoena of Key IRS Employees

In August, the Republican-controlled committee issued subpoenas to two specific IRS employees, namely Darrell J. Waldon and Michael T. Batdorf. These subpoenas were prompted by claims made by an IRS whistleblower, Gary Shapley, who asserted that these employees possessed crucial information that could assist the GOP’s investigation.

Testimony and Allegations

Darrell J. Waldon appeared for a transcribed interview before the Ways and Means Committee on Friday, shedding light on his knowledge of the matter. Michael T. Batdorf is scheduled to provide his testimony on Tuesday at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.

The two employees, as identified by Gary Shapley, were alleged to have direct knowledge of an October 2022 meeting involving the prosecutor in charge of the Hunter Biden probe, U.S. Attorney David Weiss. At the meeting, Weiss purportedly indicated that he lacked full authority to determine whether charges should be filed against Hunter Biden.

GOP Assertions of Interference

Republicans have insinuated that Weiss’s reported comments suggest interference by the Biden White House or political appointees within the Justice Department in the investigation.

However, U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who was appointed by former President Trump and operates out of Delaware, contradicted these claims. In a June letter to the House Judiciary Committee, Weiss affirmed that Attorney General Merrick Garland had granted him “ultimate authority” over the Hunter Biden investigation. Weiss emphasized that he had never been denied the authority to bring charges in any jurisdiction.

Background of the Federal Investigation

A federal grand jury initiated inquiries into Hunter Biden’s taxes and business relationships as early as 2018. In August, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed David Weiss as a special prosecutor following the collapse of a plea deal involving tax and gun charges.