Hunter Biden, the son of President Biden, said in a new interview that he is “100 percent” certain he will be “cleared of any wrongdoing” in a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation of his taxes.
Hunter Biden told CBS News correspondent Tracy Smith that he is “fully cooperating”.
“I am absolutely certain, 100 percent certain that, at the end of the investigation, I will be cleared of any wrongdoing,” said Hunter Biden, adding that “all I can do is cooperate and trust the process.”
Hunter Biden confirmed last year that the United States attorney’s office in Delaware was investigating his taxes.
“I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I have dealt with my affairs in a legal and appropriate manner, including with the benefit of professional tax advisers,” he said in a statement in December.
Then-President-elect Biden
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The Associated Press, citing an unidentified source familiar with the DOJ investigation, reported last year that a subpoena was issued seeking documents from Hunter Biden related to the Ukrainian gas company Burisma.
It was unclear at the time whether investigators were seeking information about Hunter Biden’s work with the company or assessing its sources of income.
Hunter Biden joined the Burisma board in 2014, while his father served as vice president of former President Obama and was responsible for Ukraine’s government policy. A report by Senate Republicans last year found no evidence that Hunter Biden’s work had a direct impact on Ukrainian politics at the time.
Hunter Biden told CBS News that he does not believe he “made a mistake in taking a position on the board”, but said he “made a mistake in terms of underestimating the way it would be used against me”.
“All I know is that no investigative body, no serious journalist, ever accused, never came to the conclusion that I did something wrong or that my father did something wrong,” he said.
Hunter Biden in the extensive interview also addressed his history of substance abuse. He recalled a period after the death of his brother, Beau Biden, in 2015, when he drank too much vodka, CBS noted.
Hunter Biden also remembered an interaction with his father, who was vice president at the time it occurred.
“So he sort of abandoned the secret service, figured out a way to get home,” said Hunter Biden. “And I said, ‘What are you doing here?’ He said, ‘Honey, what are you doing?’ I said, ‘Dad, I’m fine.’ He said, ‘You are not well.’ “
He also discussed his history of drug addiction, telling CBS that “I spent more time on my hands and knees fiddling with carpets, smoking anything that looked even remotely like crack.”
“I probably smoked more Parmesan cheese than anyone you know, I’m sure, Tracy! I mean, I was sleepless once for 13 days, and smoking crack and drinking vodka exclusively all this time, “he continued.
The interview comes days before the launch, on Tuesday, of the book “Beautiful things” by Hunter Biden.