Hunter Biden sues IRS claiming they unlawfully shared his tax information
Hunter Biden has sued the IRS, arguing that they unlawfully released his private tax information. The son of the president is also alleging that the tax agency failed to safeguard his private records. The younger Mr Biden is seeking all the files linked to the disclosure of tax information, as well as $1,000 for every improper disclosure, and legal fees, in addition to other things, CNN reported. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Washington, DC. It doesn’t name the two IRS whistleblowers as defendants, but it’s focused on information shared by the agents – Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler – as well as their lawyers in testimony to Congress, interviews, and public statements. “Despite clear warnings from Congress that they were prohibited from disclosing the contents of their testimony to the public in another forum, Mr. Shapley and Mr. Ziegler’s testimony only emboldened their media campaign against Mr. Biden,” the legal filing notes. “And finally, since their public testimony before the House of Representatives on July 19, 2023, the agents have become regular guests on national media outlets and have made new allegations and public statements regarding Mr. Biden’s confidential tax return information that were not previously included in their transcripts before the Committee on Ways and Means.” “The lawsuit is about the decision by IRS employees, their representatives, and others to disregard their obligations and repeatedly and intentionally publicly disclose and disseminate Mr. Biden’s protected tax return information outside the exceptions for making disclosures in the law,” Mr Biden’s legal filing states. “These agents’ putative ‘whistleblower’ status cannot and does not shield them from their wrongful conduct in making unauthorized public disclosures that are not permitted by the whistleblower process. In fact, a ‘whistleblower’ is supposed to uncover government misconduct, not the details of that employee’s opinion about the alleged wrongdoing of a private person,” the lawsuit adds. The legal filing claims that Mr Shapley and Mr Ziegler did more than verify the investigation into Mr Biden – that they shared specific claims against the 53-year-old, the amount of the deductions he had taken and how much he owed in taxes. Mr Shapley’s attorneys said in a Friday statement that Mr Biden’s lawyers have attempted to get the Department of Justice to take action against their clients for sharing information that was protected under whistleblower regulations. “Taxpayer privacy laws are written by Congress, and it gave itself authority in those laws to hear disclosures about taxpayer information,” a lawyer for Mr Shapley said in the statement on Friday. The agents shared their allegations regarding the Department of Justice’s handling of the Biden probe earlier this year. The Department of Justice said in June that they had struck a deal with Mr Biden that meant that he would plead guilty to two tax misdemeanours after he didn’t pay his taxes on time in 2017 and 2018. Mr Biden also agreed to a deal which would mean that he wouldn’t be charged with a gun possession violation, but that agreement was torn up following scrutiny by a federal judge. When the judge declined to greenlight the deal, discussions ended between the office of US Attorney David Weiss and Mr Biden’s legal team. Mr Weiss then asked for, and was granted, the status of Special Counsel. Mr Biden was indicted on three felony gun charges on Thursday and the office of Mr Weiss has stated that they could bring tax charges, with Washington, DC and California being on the list of possible jurisdictions. Read More Rambling Biden is on the ropes – will his Democratic challengers strike? Trump denies pushing for Biden impeachment inquiry in secret meetings with MAGA Republicans Trump suggests Biden impeachment is revenge for his own
2023-09-18 21:20
Ariana Madix's rib injury while trying out 'lifts and things' hampers her chance of winning 'DWTS' Season 32
Carie Ann Inaba made a 'back-handed' comment to 'DWTS' semifinalist Ariana Madix after her injury
2023-11-29 11:25
Bronny James plays piano, dines out in video, photos emerging days after he suffers cardiac arrest
Bronny James is playing piano and dining out with his family in video and photos posted days after he suffered cardiac arrest
2023-07-30 01:52
Which companies are leaving Russia and which are staying? Here's a look
More than 500 companies have suspended their business in Russia, and a similar number have withdrawn completely
2023-05-25 14:47
Sinking Islands Turn to Court as They Fight for Climate Survival
A group of nine small island nations are pinning their hopes on international law to force countries into
2023-09-11 07:59
After 17 days trapped in tunnel, India workers say hope kept them alive
After 17 days trapped inside a collapsed Himalayan road tunnel they were building, Indian workers described the horror of their ordeal, and the hopes and...
2023-11-29 15:24
How did Dennis Quaid quit drugs? 'The Intruder' star opens up about his struggle with cocaine
'When you're done with the addiction, you need something to fill that hole, something that really works, right?' said Dennis Quaid
2023-07-27 07:45
'Proud of you always': Alex Rodriguez calls daughter Natasha a 'role model' on her high school graduation
Rodriguez shares 18-year-old Natasha and 15-year-old Ella with his ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis, who he married in 2002
2023-05-22 21:22
US House Republican leaders postpone appropriations vote
WASHINGTON The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday postponed a vote that would have begun debate on the
2023-09-14 00:29
Westminster finals arrive: What dog will claim best in show?
Dogs and handlers are getting ready for the big moment at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show
2023-05-10 10:20
Thanksgiving Day: What's open and closed in Phoenix on the holiday
Here's a comprehensive guide to establishments that will remain open and closed on Thanksgiving Day in metro Phoenix
2023-11-22 15:50
Will Twitch unban IShowSpeed? Kai Cenat and AMP group's dinner with CEO Dan Clancy sparks speculations
During a recent livestream featuring Kai Cenat, YouRage, and the AMP housemates, a surprising encounter took place
2023-08-01 14:47
You Might Like...
NASCAR's $1 million All-Star Race to run at North Wilkesboro again in 2024
Government shutdowns aren't really shutdowns. But they are a bad deal for everyone
Adin Ross offers to 'cover legal fees' amid allegations of N3on's girlfriend Sam Frank assaulting fan, Internet says 'she should be in jail'
Motion to boot out fabulist US congressman
What are the charges against Francisco Oropesa? Texas gunman, 38, may face death penalty for ‘execution-style’ killing of 5 neighbors
Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
Guinea-Bissau votes to elect legislature more than a year after president dissolved parliament
Pride flag killing suspect's social media included anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-police content, authorities say
