Hunter Biden intends to change his plea in his federal tax case, his lawyer told a federal judge in Los Angeles on Thursday just moments before jury selection was set to begin.
The second son of President Joe Biden has been accused of nine misdemeanor and felony offenses. Prosecutors say the 54-year-old failed to pay $1.4 million in federal taxes and used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle.
He had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.
“There is no reason to proceed with jury selection as Mr. Biden intends to change his plea,” his defense lawyer, Abbe Lowell, told U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi Thursday morning, according to CNBC.
Lowell didn’t provide additional details, but a last-minute guilty plea would allow Hunter Biden to avoid a trial.
The surprising announcement comes nearly three months after the second son of President Joe Biden was found convicted on three felony charges in a federal gun trial.
This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.