Hunter Biden has hired lawyer David Kolansky, who previously worked on the defense team for Sen. Bob Menendez and helped secure an acquittal for an associate of former President Donald Trump on charges of acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Kolansky will join Hunter’s defense team alongside partner Abbe Lowell in facing three felony weapons charges brought by special counsel David Weiss. Kolansky also assisted Hunter in a defamation lawsuit filed by a Delaware computer repair shop owner over allegations regarding the “Laptop from Hell” that has become critical evidence in Hunter’s gun case.
Kolansky has experience defending clients in high-profile cases, including an associate of Trump fundraiser Tom Barrack who was acquitted of unlawfully acting as a foreign agent for the United Arab Emirates during the 2016 campaign. Hunter Biden’s financial dealings have also come under scrutiny, with reports of receiving at least $4.9 million from his “sugar brother” Kevin Morris. Hunter initially agreed to a plea deal for tax misdemeanors and gun violations but later shredded the agreement when immunity from future charges was not included, specifically potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Hunter Biden was indicted in September 2023 for allegedly lying about his drug abuse on a federal background check form in order to purchase a firearm while addicted to crack cocaine. He is set to go to trial in Delaware, with key witnesses such as his sister-in-law-turned-lover and ex-wife expected to appear. Additionally, Hunter was indicted in Los Angeles for tax evasion, with that trial scheduled for later in the year. Hunter has pleaded not guilty to both charges and his legal team has pursued unsuccessful pre-trial appeals. House Republicans have deposed Hunter and his associates as part of an impeachment investigation into President Biden over financial dealings with foreign entities during and after his time as vice president.
One payment from a Chinese state-linked investment firm to Hunter Biden, as well as his involvement with the firm while his father was vice president, have raised questions about potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Joe Biden has denied discussing business with his son, despite evidence suggesting otherwise found on Hunter’s laptop and through testimonies during House impeachment hearings. The investigation into Hunter’s financial dealings and potential FARA violations is ongoing, with Joe Biden’s statements about not discussing business with his son being contradicted by evidence and testimony. Kolansky has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
