Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, is suing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over allegations that the agency unlawfully disclosed his personal tax information. The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., on September 18, 2023, alleges that the IRS violated Biden's privacy rights by disclosing his tax return information to Congress and the media.
The lawsuit names two IRS agents, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, as defendants. Shapley and Ziegler testified before a House committee in July 2023 about their concerns about the handling of the criminal investigation into Biden's taxes. During their testimony, Shapley and Ziegler disclosed certain details about Biden's taxes, including the fact that he owed $2.2 million in unpaid taxes.
The lawsuit alleges that Shapley and Ziegler's disclosures violated Biden's privacy rights and IRS rules prohibiting the disclosure of taxpayer information. The lawsuit also alleges that the IRS failed to protect Biden's tax records from unauthorized access.
The IRS has denied any wrongdoing. The agency has said that Shapley and Ziegler's testimony was necessary to inform Congress about the status of the criminal investigation into Biden's taxes. The IRS has also said that it has taken steps to protect Biden's tax records from unauthorized access.
The outcome of Biden's lawsuit is uncertain. However, the case has raised important questions about the IRS's authority to disclose taxpayer information and the privacy rights of taxpayers.
The lawsuit is also significant because it comes at a time when President Biden is facing increased scrutiny from Republicans in Congress. Republicans have accused Biden of using his position to benefit his son's business dealings. The lawsuit could provide Republicans with ammunition to continue their attacks on Biden and his family.
The lawsuit is also a reminder of the importance of taxpayer privacy. The IRS has a responsibility to protect the privacy of taxpayer information. Biden's lawsuit could lead to changes in the way that the IRS handles taxpayer information.