WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A good friend of U.S. President Joe Biden‘s son Hunter Biden on Friday accused Home of Representatives Republicans of presenting a “cherry-picked, out-of-context and completely deceptive” account of his testimony to their impeachment probe.
The good friend, lawyer Kevin Morris, testified in a closed-door deposition on Thursday about cash he had loaned Hunter Biden, 53, to repay his taxes and artwork he had purchased from him.
Home Republicans allege that the president and his household improperly profited from coverage selections President Biden participated in as vp in 2009-17. The White Home and Hunter Biden deny wrongdoing.
After the closed-door interview, the Home Oversight Committee stated Morris had supplied “loans” to Biden of a minimum of $5 million that don’t must be repaid till after the 2024 election, and may very well be forgiven, and has since then gotten entry to the White Home and to Biden.
Morris’ lawyer stated in a letter despatched to the panel that the loans had been actual, reviewed by legal professionals, with correct mortgage phrases reminiscent of curiosity and a time period, and he anticipated the cash to be repaid.
Morris has solely had cursory communication with Biden and has visited the White Home a number of instances, together with on a tour given by Hunter Biden and attending Hunter Biden’s daughter’s marriage ceremony, based on the letter.
“These are just some of the deceptive statements you determined to cherry‐decide and ship out to the general public,” Morris’ lawyer wrote. “I demand you now launch all the transcript of Mr. Morris’ interview.”
The Home Oversight Committee stated it could launch a transcript of the interview quickly, however that it didn’t have it from the court docket reporter but.
“The transcript will affirm Chairman Comer’s readout of the interview with Kevin Morris,” the committee stated.
The youthful Biden is because of testify behind closed doorways to the committee on Feb. 28.
Hunter Biden had rebuffed Home Republicans’ subpoena, saying he would solely testify publicly and was involved Republicans would mischaracterize his statements.
After Home Republicans moved to carry him in contempt of Congress, he stated he would testify if issued a brand new subpoena.
Hunter Biden can be going through authorized challenges. Prosecutors have accused him in two separate circumstances of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019 and of mendacity about his unlawful drug use when shopping for a firearm. He has pleaded not responsible in each circumstances.
(Reporting by Makini Brice; Enhancing by Scott Malone and Jonathan Oatis)
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