U.S. Attorney in Delaware Denies Retaliation and Being Blocked in Hunter Biden Investigation
The U.S. attorney in Delaware, David C. Weiss, has denied allegations of retaliation and being blocked from pursuing serious charges against Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden. Weiss, an appointee of former President Donald J. Trump held over by the Biden administration, defended the integrity of his investigation in a letter sent to House Republicans late last week.
Weiss provided the most detailed explanation yet of the five-year probe that recently culminated in a plea agreement for Hunter Biden. The agreement ruled out prison time for the younger Biden, who was facing misdemeanor tax charges and a separate gun charge.
In the letter addressed to Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Weiss stated that the Department of Justice did not retaliate against Gary Shapley, an I.R.S. official who had disclosed details of the Hunter Biden investigation. Shapley had claimed that Weiss helped block a promotion he had sought after reaching out to congressional investigators.
Weiss also addressed the allegations made by Shapley that Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys in California and Washington had blocked him from prosecuting Hunter Biden on felony tax charges. While Weiss did not deny that those offices had turned down his request to bring more serious charges, he backed up Attorney General Merrick B. Garland’s statement that he had been given full authority in the case and had the option to overrule prosecutors.
As the U.S. attorney in Delaware, Weiss explained that his charging authority is geographically limited to his home district. If a case falls under another district’s jurisdiction, the common practice is to contact the United States Attorney’s Office for that district and determine partnership or request special attorney status.
Weiss clarified that being granted special attorney status is different from being made a special counsel. Special attorney status allows an outsider to intervene in cases that span multiple jurisdictions or have special conditions. Weiss emphasized that he did not seek special counsel power from Garland.
In response to the allegations, Weiss stated, “I have been assured that, if necessary after the above process, I would be granted § 515 Authority in the District of Columbia, the Central District of California, or any other district where charges could be brought in this matter,” referring to the section of federal law that defines the role of a special attorney.
Weiss’s letter comes after Representative Jordan, along with Representative James R. Comer of Kentucky and Representative Jason Smith of Missouri, sent letters requesting testimony from Weiss and other officials involved in the Hunter Biden investigation.
Weiss has been frustrated by what he believes to be unwarranted attacks on his character and motives. He is eager to address the allegations and provide his side of the story. The Justice Department’s legislative affairs office is in contact with Representative Jordan’s staff to determine an appropriate timeline and scope for Weiss’s public testimony.
Though the investigation into Hunter Biden is ongoing, Weiss’s statement announcing the plea agreement stated that he is legally unable to testify about the details at this time.