The federal prosecutor in charge of looking into Hunter Biden’s tax returns, David Weiss, denied retaliating against an IRS informant who alleged that Weiss was prevented from filing charges outside of his home district.
In May, the whistleblower Gary Shapley testified before the House Ways and Means Committee that Attorney General Merrick Garland was lying to Congress when he claimed that Weiss, a Delaware resident, had the power to bring legal action outside of his home state, including in California and Washington, D.C.
Weiss claimed that the Justice Department didn’t take revenge against any IRS official “for making protected disclosures to Congress” in a letter sent on Friday to the head of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. He also expressed his belief that he might bring legal action outside of his home district if the investigation takes that turn.
Weiss claimed in the letter that he has been given “ultimate authority” over the inquiry into Hunter Biden, “including the duty of deciding where, when, and whether to file charges.” He avoided directly addressing the allegations that he was prevented from filing charges outside of his home district.
Jordan had written to Weiss the previous week, accusing him of refusing to assist with the committee and describing his justification as “unpersuasive.” Weiss’ letter was a reaction.
In his letter, Weiss refuted Jordan’s claims, claiming that because the inquiry is still continuing, he is unable to offer proof or respond to any specific inquiries about Hunter Biden.
An inquiry for comment was not immediately answered by Jordan’s office. The District of Delaware’s U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment through a spokeswoman.
Weiss also left open the idea that he could offer the committee some kind of testimony.
In accordance with the law and department protocol, Weiss responded, “I welcome the chance to discuss these subjects with the Committee in more detail at the appropriate time, and to respond to questions relating to the whistleblowers’ allegations.”