Hunter Biden, the son of the US president, pleaded not guilty in federal court in Los Angeles on Thursday to tax evasion charges in a case that has embarrassed Joe Biden as he prepares to face off against Donald Trump. in the 2024 presidential election, if the polls are confirmed.

The 53-year-old businessman, who has now devoted himself to painting and assures that he has overcome his addiction to drugs and alcohol, is increasingly targeted by his father’s Republican opponents, who seem to see him as an “Achilles heel” of the Democratic president. of the USA.

Hunter Biden is accused of going on strike to avoid paying $1.4 million in taxes due from 2016-2019, according to prosecutors. Yesterday he pleaded not guilty to a total of nine charges against him during a brief hearing, according to US media.

If convicted, he faces up to 17 years in prison.

The hearing in federal court in Los Angeles took place the day after his surprise appearance in the House of Representatives, where Hunter Biden protested the attitude of Republicans, who in September launched an investigation to impeach the US president in the Senate.

Without providing any evidence so far, Republicans accuse the Democratic US president of corruption and profiting from his son’s controversial dealings in Ukraine and China when Joe Biden was Barack Obama’s vice president (2009-2017).

“Let me say this as clearly as possible, my father was never involved in my financial affairs,” Hunter Biden assured in an interview he gave on December 13.

In addition to the tax evasion case, Hunter Biden also faces charges of illegal gun possession. He is likely to be tried twice this year as his father continues his campaign to secure a second term in the White House.