On Monday, attorneys for Hunter Biden filed a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), alleging that IRS agents had improperly revealed his tax details and failed to protect his confidential records. This legal action adds to the series of legal challenges confronting Hunter Biden, including federal firearms charges and potential additional tax charges.
Hunter Biden’s lawsuit argues that the IRS unlawfully disclosed his tax return data. It further asserts that the disclosures by IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, who revealed the truth about the mishandling and cover up in the investigation into Hunter Biden, “targeted and sought to embarrass Mr. Biden.”
According to AP News, the lawsuit seeks damages of $1,000 for each unauthorized disclosure of his tax return information, among other remedies.
The IRS agents involved have claimed whistleblower status, arguing that their disclosures were authorized under whistleblower laws. Nevertheless, Hunter Biden’s lawsuit argues that these protections do not apply in this particular instance. This raises concerns that the lawsuit is an attempt to intimidate current and future whistleblowers, as suggested by Shapley’s legal counsel.
The lawsuit asserts, “Biden has no fewer or lesser rights than any other American citizen, and no government agency or government agent has free reign to violate his rights simply because of who he is,” as reported by Business Insider.
The lawsuit further claims, “Two IRS agents—Mr. Gary Shapley and Mr. Joseph Ziegler—and their attorneys raised the stakes to unprecedented levels with their numerous public appearances and statements that blatantly violated Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code by engaging in a campaign to publicly smear Mr. Biden.”
The Oversight Committee issued a statement in response to Hunter Biden’s lawsuit.
Anyone who has read or listened to the two IRS whistleblowers’ testimony knows that they are upstanding, concerned citizens without a political agenda. Both have worked at the IRS for over a decade on some of the biggest tax crime cases in our country’s history. What they witnessed while working on the Hunter Biden criminal investigation was a “corrosion of ethical standards and the abuse of power that threaten our nation.” They have brought forward serious allegations of politicization and misconduct by DOJ officials.
In short, these are good people who did everything right to obtain whistleblower protection with the best interest of our country in mind.
Meanwhile, Hunter Biden is a tax cheat who hasn’t paid his fair share – something that @POTUS lectures everyday Americans about.
These IRS whistleblowers do not deserve the smear campaign Hunter Biden’s legal team is waging.
Witness intimidation is just another dirty tactic by the Hunter Biden legal team. Despite their games, our investigation will continue.
🚨STATEMENT ON HUNTER SUING THE IRS🚨
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) September 18, 2023
Anyone who has read or listened to the two IRS whistleblowers’ testimony knows that they are upstanding, concerned citizens without a political agenda. Both have worked at the IRS for over a decade on some of the biggest tax crime cases in…
