House Republicans are seeking testimony from the Hollywood producer who introduced Hunter Biden to an investor and art dealer.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan on Thursday asked Hollywood producer Lanette Phillips to transcribe an interview as part of the impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden. sent a letter. (Related: Hunter Biden’s business associate Eric Schwerin performed pro bono financial services for Joe Biden)
Read the letter:
Phillips introduced Hunter Biden to his friend and financier Kevin Morris around November 2019 at a campaign fundraiser for then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. testified In January. She also introduced Hunter Biden to art dealer Georges Berges. He later helped Morris purchase Hunter Biden’s art for $875,000. Mr. Berges testified..
“Given Hunter Biden’s long track record of spreading influence, the Committee does not believe that Kevin Morris’ significant financial support for Hunter Biden will benefit, curry favor with, or We’re trying to understand whether it was intended to gain access to Joe Biden.As the person who introduced Morris to Hunter Biden, the committee is asking if you have any information relevant to that question. We believe that,” the letter states. Phillips has until February 8 to contact staff to schedule an interview.
“The committee needs to understand the nature of Hunter Biden’s commitment to art. In fact, for a novice like Hunter Biden to sell a painting at such a high price is likely to have caused him to approach his father and use Biden’s name. This raises considerable suspicions, given that Naftali has been peddling and peddling for years. We are trying to understand whether you were influenced in any way by your purchases.The Committee believes that you are in a position to shed light on that and other issues, given that you introduced Naftali to Berges. “,” the letter added.
Burgess told lawmakers that Democratic donor and Biden appointee Elizabeth Naftali has purchased Hunter Biden art twice, the first time shortly after Biden took office. .
The Oversight Committee had previously subpoenaed Mr. Naftali to testify in order to advance the impeachment inquiry. Comer, Jordan and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith are leading the investigation.
Morris’ lawyer said in a letter to Republican lawmakers that Morris provided Hunter Biden with a $6.5 million loan from October 2021 to December 2023. The financial aid allowed Biden to pay off about $2 million worth of delinquent taxes and many of his personal expenses. (Related: James Biden, House Republicans set testimony date for impeachment inquiry)
WASHINGTON DC – JANUARY 10: US President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden and Kevin Morris (left) attend a House Oversight Committee meeting on January 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. and Abby Rowell (right). The committee is meeting today to consider charging him with contempt of Congress. (Photo provided by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Mr Morris told MPs that their financial relationship began shortly after they met and became friends in late 2019. Morris appeared unexpectedly at the House Oversight Committee’s contempt of Congress hearing, sitting next to Hunter Biden, after Biden refused a subpoena to testify in the impeachment inquiry.
Two days after Biden’s brief appearance in court, Biden’s lawyer, Abby Lowell, notified House Republicans that she is ready to testify now that they have formally authorized an impeachment inquiry. His private session is scheduled for February 28th.
Hunter Biden’s federal taxes indictment In California, Morris said he paid for an estimated $1.2 million of Biden’s expenses in 2020, a detail Morris testified was accurate. The indictment does not directly name Morris, calling him an entertainment lawyer and a “personal friend” of Biden.
The eldest son pleaded not guilty to the federal tax charges on Jan. 11.
Henry Rogers contributed to this report
