IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley testified that President Biden's appointee, U.S. Attorney for D.C. Matthew Graves, declined to pursue tax evasion charges against Hunter Biden. This claim emerged during a House Oversight Committee hearing focused on alleged political interference by the Department of Justice in the Hunter Biden investigation.
Shapley stated, "The Justice Department permitted the president's political appointees to influence the decision of whether to charge the president's son." He further revealed that after Graves refused to press charges in March 2022, U.S. Attorney David Weiss informed senior FBI and IRS officials that he lacked final authority in charging decisions.
Federal Election Commission records indicate that Graves contributed to Biden's 2020 campaign while employed at DLA Piper before his 2021 appointment. These donations, amounting to $1,500, were made during the Democratic presidential primaries.
The White House responded to these allegations, urging House Republicans to prioritize issues like inflation and job creation instead of engaging in politically motivated attacks on a Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney and the justice system. They emphasized President Biden's commitment to an independent investigation led by a Trump-appointed official.
The DOJ reiterated U.S. Attorney Weiss's full authority in deciding whether, when, and where to file charges, directing inquiries about the investigation to the Delaware U.S. Attorney's Office.
The House investigation stems from Shapley and fellow whistleblower Joseph Ziegler's allegations of deliberate delays in the Hunter Biden investigation, including avoiding contact at his residence, alerting him and his staff about investigative efforts, and postponing actions before the 2020 election.
Both agents were involved in the federal investigation into Hunter Biden's tax and gun charges. Biden eventually pleaded guilty to misdemeanor tax offenses in a plea agreement criticized by Republicans.
This hearing is part of House Republicans' ongoing investigation into the president and his family following the DOJ's inability to find evidence of criminal activity.
