Hunter Biden makes surprise guilty plea in US tax case, avoiding pre-election trial

Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, pleaded guilty to federal tax charges on Thursday in a surprise move that avoids a potentially embarrassing trial weeks before the US presidential election.

Biden had been set to stand trial in a Los Angeles federal courthouse on criminal charges of failing to pay US$1.4 million in taxes while spending lavishly on drugs, sex workers and luxury items.

Instead, he pleaded guilty to all nine counts he faced.

Judge Mark Scarsi told Biden he faces up to 17 years in prison and up to US$450,000 in penalties. He set sentencing for December 16.