Hunter Biden’s attorney has formally asked the presiding judge to relieve him of his duties as counsel in the ongoing federal case involving tax and firearms offenses. This request is motivated by the attorney’s concern that his prospective role as a witness in the case could compromise his ability to advocate for his client effectively.
Christopher J. Clark filed a motion with a Delaware district court magistrate on Tuesday morning, seeking to withdraw as Hunter Biden’s legal counsel. This request is prompted by the prospect that Clark will be required to testify regarding his role in Hunter’s prior plea agreement with the federal government, which failed spectacularly in July. Clark cited the professional conduct regulations which state, “A lawyer shall not act as an advocate in a trial where the lawyer is likely to be a necessary witness.”
“Based on recent developments, it appears that the negotiation and drafting of the plea agreement and diversion agreement will be contested, and Mr. Clark is a percipient witness to those issues,” Clark wrote.
Hunter Biden’s lawyer moves to withdraw as counsel. The reason?
“it appears that the negotiation and drafting of the plea agreement and diversion agreement will be contested,” and he is a witness to those issues. pic.twitter.com/QACCy0mqfL
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) August 15, 2023
Clark has represented Hunter Biden’s son, who has been the subject of a five-year-long investigation, in legal matters. The investigation focuses on alleged illicit activities, including substantial financial gains made by the son while acting as a representative for foreign enterprises seeking connections with his father during the latter’s tenure as vice president. Judge Maryellen Norieka’s inquiry into the extent of the agreement’s coverage regarding Hunter’s refusal to register as a foreign agent while engaging in lobbying activities on behalf of the corporations led to the dissolution of the prior agreement, which had been signed the previous month. Both parties withdrew from the agreement after the attorneys representing United States Attorney David Weiss informed the presiding judge that a specific aspect of their investigation would not be included.
More on this story via The Republic Brief:
The dialogue between the defense and prosecutors has experienced a recent impasse, prompting U.S. Attorney Merrick Garland to designate Weiss as a special counsel on Friday. This appointment grants Weiss the authority to broaden his investigation into Hunter Biden, extending beyond the confines of Delaware and encompassing other jurisdictions where potential criminal activities involving the controversial first son may have taken place. The U.S. attorneys responsible for these districts opted not to pursue charges and were found to have made political contributions to the electoral campaigns of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. CONTINUE READING…
