Federal Prosecutor Leo Wise Faces Backlash For 'Soft' Handling Of Hunter Biden

Wise, who is leading the federal criminal investigation into President Biden's son on tax and gun charges, was involved in a plea deal that fell apart last week.

During Hunter Biden's first court appearance in Delaware on July 26, he was expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax as part of a deal to avoid jail time on a felony gun charge. The plea agreement included a diversion agreement related to the gun charge, which would have allowed Hunter Biden to avoid prosecution if he pleaded guilty to the tax charges.

August 05, 2023

However, Judge Maryellen Noreika, who is presiding over the case, did not accept the plea agreement, questioning its constitutionality. The diversion agreement included a clause granting Hunter Biden broad immunity for a range of issues investigated by the Justice Department. Noreika expressed concerns about the immunity clause and the overall constitutionality of the deal.

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During the hearing, Noreika focused her criticism on Wise, probing for more details about the plea deal. Wise stated that the agreement did not prevent prosecutors from investigating Hunter Biden for potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. As a result of the judge's concerns, the plea deal collapsed, and Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty.

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Critics argue that the plea deal offered to Hunter Biden was too lenient and aimed at protecting the Biden family. However, Wise has a reputation for being tough and relentless in his pursuit of fraud and corruption cases. Former federal prosecutor Gerard Martin described Wise as tough and generally fair but noted that he sometimes goes too far.

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Wise, an assistant U.S. attorney for the Justice Department, has been heading the fraud and public corruption unit of the U.S. Attorney's Office for Maryland since 2020. He has been involved in high-profile cases, including the prosecution of members of the corrupt Gun Trace Task Force of the Baltimore Police Department. Wise has also prosecuted former Baltimore Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa, former Maryland Del. Cheryl Glenn, and former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh.

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However, Wise's aggressive approach has made him unpopular with some members of the legal community. He has targeted fellow lawyers, including defense attorney Kenneth Ravenell and his original defense attorney, Joshua Treem. Wise's execution of a search warrant at a law firm was considered excessive by some legal observers.

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Before joining the Justice Department, Wise worked as the first chief congressional ethics investigator for the U.S. House of Representatives. During that time, he faced criticism from lawmakers, particularly members of the Congressional Black Caucus, who accused him of unfairly targeting African-American members. Wise defended his investigations, noting that they were vetted by a bipartisan review committee.

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Wise's involvement in the Hunter Biden case has raised questions about his prosecutorial decisions and the potential political implications. The plea deal's collapse and the ongoing federal investigation into Hunter Biden indicate that he is still under scrutiny. However, Wise and the Justice Department have declined to comment on the matter.

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In conclusion, federal prosecutor Leo Wise, known for his aggressive pursuit of corruption cases, is now facing criticism for his handling of the prosecution of Hunter Biden. The plea deal, which would have allowed Hunter Biden to avoid jail time on a felony gun charge, fell apart due to concerns about its constitutionality. Wise's involvement in the case has raised questions about his prosecutorial decisions and potential political implications. The ongoing federal investigation into Hunter Biden indicates that he is still under scrutiny.