He had pleaded not guilty to all nine counts in January.
Hunter Biden pleaded guilty in his federal tax case on Sept. 5, a surprise move that allows him to avoid a trial.
The change of plea came hours before jury selection was set to begin and ahead of his sentencing in a separate case in Delaware.
“I will not subject my family to more pain, more invasions of privacy and needless embarrassment,” Hunter Biden, 54, son of President Joe Biden, said in an emailed statement after he entered his plea. “For all I have put them through over the years, I can spare them this, and so I have decided to plead guilty.”
The choice to plead guilty to misdemeanor and felony charges came without a plea deal, which typically includes benefits such as dropped charges.
“Hunter decided to enter his plea to protect those he loves from unnecessary hurt and cruel humiliation. This plea prevents that kind of show trial that would’ve not provided all the facts or served any real point in justice. He will now move on with us to the sentencing phase,” defense attorney Abbe Lowell told reporters outside the federal courthouse in Los Angeles.
Hunter Biden quickly responded “guilty” as the judge read out each of the nine counts. The charges carry up to 17 years behind bars, but federal sentencing guidelines are likely to call for a much shorter sentence. Hunter Biden also faces up to $1.35 million in fines.
The choice to plead guilty to misdemeanor and felony charges came without a plea deal, which typically includes benefits such as dropped charges.
“Hunter decided to enter his plea to protect those he loves from unnecessary hurt and cruel humiliation. This plea prevents that kind of show trial that would’ve not provided all the facts or served any real point in justice. He will now move on with us to the sentencing phase,” defense attorney Abbe Lowell told reporters outside the federal courthouse in Los Angeles.
