House Republicans, led by Reps. Jim Jordan (R-OOH) and James Comer (R-KY), are demanding access to evidence related to the prosecution of a former business associate of Hunter Biden, convicted of international bribery and money laundering offenses. [Source]
Chi Ping “Patrick” Ho, formerly at the helm of a US-based NGO funded by Chinese energy giant CEFC, was sentenced in 2019 to three years in prison, released in June 2020, and subsequently deported to Hong Kong.
The Judiciary and Oversight Committee chairmen have sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, seeking records tied to Ho’s case, highlighting the intertwined relationships between Hunter Biden and significant Chinese business entities.
The GOP leaders allege that efforts were made to dissociate Hunter Biden from Ho’s trial, stating, “Information obtained by the Committees indicate that prosecutors sought to keep the Biden name out of Mr. Ho’s trial.
This material is directly relevant to the House’s impeachment inquiry.” The chairmen’s demand includes unredacted communications between Ho and Serbian politician Vuk Jeremić, which purportedly allude to an individual, believed by Republicans to be Hunter Biden, being shielded from legal scrutiny due to political sensitivities. [Source]
Moreover, documents retrieved from Hunter Biden’s abandoned laptop, as per reports by The Washington Post, reveal a lucrative agreement with Ye Jianming, CEFC’s chairman, promising Hunter Biden significant financial returns for “introductions.”
An engagement letter from September 2017 further shows Ho paying Hunter Biden a $1 million retainer for legal counsel and advice, despite Hunter Biden’s lack of legal licensure in New York.
This request for DOJ materials by Jordan and Comer comes as Republicans intensify their investigation into the Biden family’s Chinese business ventures, seeking evidence that might link Joe Biden’s actions as vice president or president to his family’s business engagements.
A DOJ spokesperson confirmed receipt of the letter but declined to comment further.
The pursuit of these documents marks a continuation of the Republicans’ efforts to delve into the Biden family’s international business ties, aiming to uncover any potential misconduct.
The DOJ has until March 5 to respond.