“New documents provided by the whistleblowers show that Hunter Biden repeatedly lied to Congress in his February deposition to distance his involvement in what should be considered a clear scheme to enrich the Biden family.”
As prepared for delivery.
“For months, IRS whistleblowers have provided evidence to this Committee that gives us insight into a long-running Biden family influence-peddling scheme.
“From whistleblower-provided evidence, we know Hunter Biden and his business associates made millions from selling access to Joe Biden and the quote ‘brand’ that is Joe Biden around the world. We know President Biden’s denials of any knowledge or involvement are not true. We know the Department of Justice tried to undermine, stonewall, and block the investigation into the Biden family, including President Biden.
“Hunter Biden’s deposition is key to understanding the attempts to conceal how the family made millions from selling access. Yet, new documents provided by the whistleblowers show that Hunter Biden repeatedly lied to Congress in his February deposition to distance his involvement in what should be considered a clear scheme to enrich the Biden family.
“First, Hunter Biden lied about the recipient of a WhatsApp message sent with the apparent intention to threaten a business associate and demand payment. In the message, Hunter Biden twice mentioned he was with his father. In the deposition, Hunter Biden sought to dismiss the message, claiming that he was either quote “high or drunk” when he sent it, and in that state, had sent it to the wrong Zhao, and not actually the one affiliated with the Chinese energy company, CEFC. Hunter claimed under oath that the recipient, quote “had no understanding or even remotely knew what,…I was even‚…talking about.”
“However, phone records in front of the Committee today show Hunter Biden sent the message to the correct Chinese businessman by the name of Raymond Zhao who not only was affiliated with CEFC, but knew exactly what Hunter Biden was talking about.
“For several months, the pair messaged back and forth on the same phone numbers, and ultimately an affiliate of CEFC, Raymond Zhao’s company, sent $5 million to Hunter Biden and his associates just days after Hunter’s threatening message. These documents make clear that Hunter Biden was using his father’s name to shake down a Chinese businessman – and it worked. And when confronted by Congressional investigators about it, he lied.
“Second, Hunter Biden lied when he claimed he was not the corporate secretary of Rosemont Seneca Bohai and that the shell company he established with Devon Archer and its associated bank accounts were not under his control nor affiliated with him.
“The truth is in his own handwriting, and it is in front of our Committee today. On an official Rosemont Seneca Bohai document accepting yet another foreign payment, Hunter Biden wrote, ‘I, Robert Hunter Biden, hereby certify that I am the duly elected, qualified and acting Secretary of Rosemont Seneca Bohai, LLC.’ The Committee has also obtained evidence that shows Hunter Biden was, in fact, the beneficial owner of a bank account in the name of Rosemont Seneca Bohai.
“Third, Hunter Biden lied during his deposition when he said he never helped individuals obtain U.S. visas. The whistleblowers have provided an email to the Committee between Devon Archer, Hunter Biden, and Ukrainian associates in which Archer stated, ‘Hunter is checking with Miguel Aleman to see if he can provide cover to Kola on the visa.’ Kola, being the CEO of Burisma, Nikolay Zlochevsky and whose, the email also indicates, U.S. visa was revoked as there was concern about his foreign travel.
“These documents also confirm, again, that the IRS Whistleblowers have been telling the truth all along and include another example of the Department of Justice putting up roadblocks in this investigation. For example, included in the materials before us are:
- Documents showing that previously released summaries from investigators, prior exhibits 300 and 301, were accurate;
- In 2021, Assistant U.S. District Attorney Leslie Wolf told investigators they could not pursue Hollywood lawyer Kevin Morris as a witness based on information she received from the CIA. Investigators were never provided the same information that AUSA Wolf received; and
- Additional context regarding Hunter Biden’s involvement with CEFC.
“The evidence under consideration today confirms, once again, that the IRS whistleblowers are the only witnesses in this investigation who can be trusted to tell the truth.
“Congress cannot allow our oversight responsibilities to be undermined by lies told by anyone, including the President’s son. Hunter Biden, despite what he may believe, he is not above the law. Everyone present today knows that lying to Congress is a serious offense. We are here today to consider this evidence to ensure equal application of the law, and to protect the integrity of this and future congressional investigations.
“I hope all my colleagues will vote to release these documents that show, yet again, the IRS whistleblowers are telling the truth and Hunter Biden is not.
“Without objection, I will enter the publicly available transcript of Hunter Biden’s February 28, 2024, deposition transcript into the record.”