How Hunter Biden spent millions on 'adult entertainment', lavish lifestyle

In a significant legal development, Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, has been indicted on multiple tax evasion charges. The department of justice filed the charges on Thursday, accusing him of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes while indulging in a luxurious lifestyle.

The 53-year-old faces three felony and six misdemeanor tax offenses, as outlined in the indictment submitted to the US District Court in the Central District of California. If convicted, Hunter Biden could face up to 17 years in prison. The justice department emphasized that the investigation into Biden's financial activities is ongoing.

"The Defendant engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019," the indictment stated. It further detailed that Biden's expenditures included vast amounts on "drugs, escorts and girlfriends, luxury hotels and rental properties, exotic cars, clothing, and other items of a personal nature," with over $70,000 reportedly spent on drug rehabilitation.

In response to the charges, Hunter Biden's attorney, Abbe Lowell, stated that his client had fully repaid his taxes. Lowell accused US. Special Counsel David Weiss, who is leading the investigation, of breaking a previous agreement. "If Hunter’s last name was anything other than Biden, the charges in Delaware, and now California, would not have been brought," Lowell was quoted as saying in US media reports.

The White House has declined to comment on the matter, and it remains unclear when Hunter Biden will make a court appearance.

Between 2016 and 2019, Hunter Biden is alleged to have spent nearly $5 million on various personal expenses. This includes $683,000 on relationships with various women and nearly $400,000 on clothing and accessories. Additionally, he is said to have spent $188,000 on adult entertainment during this period, a Daily Mail report said.

In 2018, Hunter Biden reportedly spent $100,000 on adult entertainment but only allocated $500 towards mortgage payments. Detailed transactions include $11,500 for a two-night escort service in 2018, and payments to a strip club and an online pornography website, which constituted a significant portion of his business line of credit expenditures.

Hunter Biden also made notable one-off payments, such as a $1,500 Venmo transaction to an exotic dancer, which he attempted to disguise as an 'artwork' purchase. Over four years, he expended $237,000 on health, beauty, and pharmacy services, with more than $110,000 spent in a single year.

As per the Daily Mail report, the indictment also sheds light on his lavish spending on luxury hotels, flights, and car rentals. For instance, in April 2018, he spent nearly $3,000 on flights to Los Angeles and over $1,700 on renting a Lamborghini upon arrival. During the subsequent two months, he incurred expenses of $43,693 at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in LA and paid $7,215 for Airbnb rentals for his then-girlfriend.

President Biden has consistently expressed his support for his son, despite his history of troubled behavior. The indictment paints a picture of Hunter Biden's extravagant spending, funded by his substantial income, while neglecting his tax obligations.

Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to the earlier felony charges related to his 2018 purchase of a .38-caliber Colt Cobra revolver during a period of admitted drug addiction. The charges include illegal possession of the handgun and making false statements on the gun purchase forms.

(With inputs from agencies)