Hunter Biden to plead not guilty to gun charges

Hunter Biden will plead not guilty to federal gun charges filed after a failed plea deal in a long-running federal investigation, his lawyers said in court papers Tuesday.

Biden is accused of lying about his drug use when he purchased a gun in October 2018, at a time when he admitted to struggling with a crack addiction. He is accused of having kept the weapon for 11 days.

The three-count indictment from a special counsel overseeing the case came weeks after the proposed plea deal and puts the case on track toward a possible high-stakes trial at the approach of the 2024 elections.

He is asking to argue remotely via video conference, saying that would avoid the costs of protecting the Secret Service while traveling from his home in California to Delaware, as well as the logistical challenges in Wilmington. Prosecutors are expected to oppose the request.

Hunter Biden is also under investigation for his business dealings, and the special prosecutor has indicated that tax charges could be filed at some point in Washington or California, where he resides.