Hunter Biden’s law license in Washington, D.C., is being suspended because of his conviction on three gun felonies earlier this month.
“The respondent is suspended immediately from the practice of law in the District of Columbia pending resolution of this matter,” the D.C. Court of Appeals ruled on Tuesday. He was a member of the D.C. bar in good standing until his conviction for “serious crimes” under D.C. bar rules.
A jury of Hunter Biden’s peers in Delaware convicted him on three federal gun charges two weeks ago after three hours of deliberations.
Hunter Biden was convicted on two false statement charges and one possession charge for lying about his drug addiction on gun paperwork and possessing a Colt Cobra revolver for eleven days while addicted to crack cocaine. His attorneys have requested a new trial and seek an acquittal on the gun charges.
A graduate of Yale law school, Hunter Biden previously worked for international law firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP and held various lobbying and business positions. House Republicans continue to investigate his foreign business dealings with individuals and entities in Ukraine, China, Romania, and elsewhere.
At trial, Biden’s defense team touted his professional accomplishments, without mentioning his foreign business dealings. Since becoming sober, Hunter Biden’s main sources of income have been his memoir, Beautiful Things, and his painting. His friend and financial patron Kevin Morris has spent an estimated $6.5 million over the past few years paying Biden’s personal expenses and overdue taxes.
During the trial, prosecutors played lengthy audiobook excerpts from Biden’s memoir, allowing the jury to hear Hunter Biden describe his crack cocaine-fueled episodes. A major theme of the trial was the destruction Hunter Biden’s crack addiction wrought on the people around him.
Art dealer Georges Berges testified before congress earlier this year that Hunter Biden’s art brought in $1.5 million in sales, mostly to Morris. But, Berges said he did not renew his contract with Hunter Biden after it expired last year.
Hunter Biden’s sentencing is scheduled to take place later this year, and his father, President Joe Biden, has said he will not pardon his son or commute his sentence. He faces up to 25 years in prison, but will likely received a lenient sentence as a first-time, non-violent offender.
In September, Hunter Biden will stand trial on nine federal tax charges for allegedly failing to pay over $1.4 million of taxes over a four year period. He has plead not guilty to the charges.