New details emerge about federal investigation into Hunter Biden

[buh buh biden]

The federal investigation into Hunter Biden's business practices is
broader than previously known, with multiple sources telling CBS News the
probe is exploring whether the younger Biden and his associates violated
tax, money laundering and foreign lobbying laws.

Business records reviewed by CBS News and documents released by
Republicans in Congress indicate Hunter Biden and his firm were involved
in multiple financial transactions with a Chinese energy company called
CEFC. Republicans allege that the company is an arm of the Chinese
government.

In 2017, the year after Joe Biden left the vice presidency, an official
with the Chinese energy company signed a $1 million retainer for Hunter
Biden's services as a lawyer.

The new client, CEFC official Patrick Ho, was later convicted on unrelated
international bribery and money laundering charges for work in Africa.

This week on the Senate floor, Republican Chuck Grassley presented
financial records the Senate obtained that he said showed six-figure
payments from the Chinese energy company to Hunter Biden's firm, which
included President Biden's brother James Biden.

"Hunter Biden and James Biden served as the perfect vehicle by which the
Chinese government could gain inroads here in the United States," Grassley
said.

An attorney for Hunter Biden did not respond to CBS News' request for
comment. CBS News was unable to reach a representative for James Biden for
comment. Last year, Hunter Biden told CBS News correspondent Anthony Mason
the president did not financially benefit, directly or indirectly, from
his business ventures.

Attention on Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings has re-emerged as a
political issue in recent days. Questions about then-candidate Biden's son
reached a fever pitch during the 2020 campaign. After the election, the
White House left the Trump-appointed federal prosecutor in Delaware in
place — White House officials said to avoid any suggestion they were
meddling in the probe.

Earlier this month, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said any answers
to questions about the investigation would have to come from the Justice
Department or Hunter Biden's representatives.

"I'm a spokesperson for the United States," Psaki added. "He doesn't work
in the government."

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hunter-biden-investigation-federal-tax-new-
details/