IRS Whistleblower Goes Public, Accuses DOJ of Hindering Hunter Biden Tax Probe
For the first time, Gary Shapley, a 14-year veteran of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) who made allegations of prosecutorial misconduct in a tax evasion investigation concerning Hunter Biden, has come forward publicly. He asserts that the Department of Justice (DOJ) acted improperly, delaying the probe's progress.
In an interview with CBS Evening News on Tuesday, Shapley shared his concerns about the unprecedented handling of the case by the DOJ. "There were multiple steps that were slow-walked – were just completely not done – at the direction of the Department of Justice,” Shapley revealed to Jim Axelrod, CBS News chief investigative correspondent. "When I took control of this particular investigation, I immediately saw deviations from the normal process. It was way outside the norm of what I’ve experienced in the past.”
Shapley, who was recently removed from the high-profile investigation - a move he perceives as a retaliatory measure - is slated to present his case before the House Ways and Means Committee in a confidential session on Friday.
While Shapley has not named the focus of his investigation, sources from Congress suggest that the complaint pertains to Hunter Biden, 53, and his alleged negligence in paying taxes on millions earned through foreign business transactions.
Shapley assumed the role of lead investigator in January 2020 and by summer, became increasingly concerned over the DOJ's protective measures for the President's son. “Each and every time, it seemed to always benefit the subject,” he said during the CBS News interview.
The veteran IRS official had long harbored apprehensions about the investigation's mishandling before deciding to bring them into the public eye. He cited a pivotal moment during an intense meeting with DOJ officials in October 2022, which resulted in him and his team being dismissed from the investigation after years of involvement.
He expressed his moral dilemma to CBS News, saying, “It just got to that point where that switch was turned on. And I just couldn’t silence my conscience anymore.”
Shapley and his legal team notified Congress last month that he intended to disclose concerns about "preferential treatment" in the tax evasion probe. He maintains that his actions are not politically motivated but rather a moral obligation, given the severity of the irregularities he witnessed.
No charges have been filed against Hunter Biden regarding alleged tax evasion. The Justice Department, the IRS, and the US Attorney’s Office in Delaware, which oversees the Hunter Biden probe, declined to comment on Shapley's allegations when approached by the news outlet.