Hunter Biden says US prosecutor investigating his taxes

WASHINGTON: President-elect Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden said on Wednesday the US Attorney's Office in Delaware is investigating his tax affairs.

"I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors," Hunter Biden said in a statement. He said he learned of the investigation for the first time on Tuesday when prosecutors informed his lawyer of the probe.

The Biden transition team on Wednesday released a statement saying, "President-elect Biden is deeply proud of his son, who has fought through difficult challenges, including the vicious personal attacks of recent months, only to emerge stronger."

CNN reported that investigators have been examining multiple financial issues, including whether Hunter Biden and his associates violated tax and money laundering laws in business dealings in foreign countries, principally China, according to two people briefed on the probe.

The investigation began as early as 2018, predating the arrival of William Barr as attorney general, two people briefed on the investigation told CNN.

Reuters could not confirm the reports. The US Attorney's Office declined to comment.

Hunter Biden became a focus of attacks from President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in the campaign for the White House.

Trump and Republicans have questioned potential conflicts of interest from his position on the board of a Ukrainian energy company at the time Democrat Joe Biden served as vice president.

Trump's actions in connection with the Ukrainian matter resulted in his impeachment by the Democrat-majority US House of Representatives last January.

Trump also called during the campaign for China to investigate the involvement of Biden's son in a fund that sought to raise Chinese capital. Trump accused the younger Biden of using his position of influence to secure China's financial backing for his investments.

Trump never provided evidence to support this claim and Hunter Biden has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.