David C. Weiss, a federal prosecutor, allegedly claimed that he was denied the jurisdiction to charge Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son, beyond the confines of Delaware, according to six witnesses privy to his statement.
Furthermore, Weiss purportedly said that his request for special counsel status was rebuffed by the Department of Justice (DOJ), reported RadarOnline.com.
These revelations emerged amidst allegations leveled by the legal representation of an IRS whistleblower. They allege that Weiss made these statements during a meeting with IRS investigators and FBI agents in October 2022, a week after Hunter Biden consented to plead guilty to two federal tax offenses.
As per the New York Post, the meeting, held on October 7, 2022, was first disclosed during the testimony of Gary Shapley, an IRS supervisor, before the House Ways and Means Committee in May 2023.
Shapley quoted Weiss saying, “I’m not the deciding official on whether charges are filed,” during his testimony on May 26. He further quoted Weiss stating that D.C. U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves, appointed by President Biden, had restricted his charging authority.
Shapley revealed to the House committee that Weiss was barred from charging Hunter over several suspected transgressions in 2014 and 2015, which included undisclosed foreign income and a tax evasion scheme.
Shapley's claims didn't end there. Weiss allegedly disclosed during the October 2022 meeting that his request for special counsel authority from Main DOJ was declined. Shapley added, Weiss was instructed to "follow the process," involving another attorney appointed by President Biden.
Six witnesses, including Shapley and his superior, as well as officials from the FBI and IRS, were reportedly privy to Weiss's assertions during the October 7 meeting.
The allegations of DOJ curtailing Weiss's inquiry into Hunter Biden starkly contradict Attorney General Merrick Garland's prior statements, granting Weiss complete autonomy in deciding prosecution course and jurisdiction.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has since demanded a comprehensive investigation into Shapley's claims about Weiss, the DOJ, and the probe into Hunter Biden. McCarthy has tasked GOP House Rep. Jim Jordan with the inquiry.
McCarthy asserted, “US Attorney David Weiss must provide answers to the House Judiciary Committee... If the whistleblowers’ allegations are true, this will be a significant part of a larger impeachment inquiry into Merrick Garland’s weaponization of DOJ.”
Hunter Biden is slated to appear in federal court on July 26 in relation to the plea agreement reached with Weiss last week.