First Son Hunter Biden will plead guilty to federal tax offenses but avoid full prosecution on a separate gun charge in a plea deal with the Justice Department.
Despite being under investigation by congressional Republicans, Hunter Biden has enlisted help from… a congressional Republican.
Former Rep. Denver Riggelman, R-Va., is advising Hunter Biden’s legal team.
Kevin Morris, another Biden lawyer, has confirmed Riggelman’s role.
“Denver has been assisting us with data analysis since late last year,” Morris told CBS News in a statement. “He is an invaluable resource and we have made tremendous strides in untangling the massive amount of corruption and disinformation involved in this story. There will be much more coming to the public.”
Riggelman described his role as one of data. More specifically, he’s reportedly looking for signs of fabrication in text messages linkedr to Hunter Biden.
“I and my forensics, data, and telephony team are conducting data investigations and analysis for Hunter Biden’s legal team,” Riggleman told the outlet.
Hunter Biden’s legal team has accused the House Republicans of seizing an opportunity to overstep. “The timing… does not seem innocent,” lawyer Abbe Lowell reportedly said.
The Justice Department, under the executive branch, announced the plea agreement last month. However, the GOP-led House Oversight Committee, under the legislative branch, is pursuing its own investigation.
Some House Republicans have accused Biden’s Justice Department of giving Hunter Biden a slap on the wrist. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said, “If you are the president’s son, you get a sweetheart deal.”
Riggelman spent only one term in Congress. He was elected in 2018 to represent a sprawling, R+7 district encompassing Charlottesville and its suburbs.
As the owner of a distillery, Riggelman served on the Financial Services Committee, and he introduced bills mostly related to that industry, according to GovTrack.
During his first year, Riggelman earned a censure from his county GOP over “continuing resolutions for out-of-control spending,” and he lost his party’s nomination at a 2020 convention.
Riggelman remains the only person ever to have joined both the House Freedom Caucus and the House Jan. 6 Committee.
In other words, he’s navigated the GOP’s internal politics.
The Horn editorial team and the Associated Press contributed to this article.