Share
News

Federal Court Hits Hunter Biden's Former Business Partner with Conviction

Share

A federal appeals court reinstated the securities fraud and conspiracies conviction of Hunter Biden’s former business partner on Wednesday, reversing a decision made last year by a lower-court judge.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that Devon Archer “knew at least the general nature and extent of the scheme and intended to bring about its success,” The Wall Street Journal reported.

The scheme defrauded the Oglala Sioux Indian tribe out of the proceeds of $60 million in bonds. Prosecutors argued that the proceeds were misused by Archer and others.

Archer and Hunter Biden were business partners at different times and served together on the board of Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma Holdings Ltd. starting in 2014.

Although Biden’s name was used as a selling point in transactions to bolster the legitimacy, he didn’t know about the fraud and wasn’t involved in the scheme, according to trial testimony.

Trending:
Federal Judge Has Bad News for Hunter Biden, Says There's Zero Evidence His Charges Are Politically Motivated

Federal prosecutors never alleged the son of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden was aware of the scheme.

However, the scheme was committed under a broader business venture Hunter Biden was involved in and his lawyer said he cut ties with the perpetrators when he learned of the fraud, according to Politico.

Archer and two other men were convicted in June 2018 of securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud, but the ruling was overturned five months later by trial Judge Ronnie Abrams of the Southern District of New York.

Prosecutors claimed the defendants had pushed the Native American tribe to issue $60 million in economic-development bonds and then used the proceeds for their own use instead of investing it to benefit the Wakpamni Lake Community, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Do you agree with this ruling?

The investors were also not told about conflicts of interest “that riddled the transactions” including the investment adviser’s connection to people who influenced the decision to issue the bonds.

Archer’s attorneys have claimed that he lost money in the fraud deal, the New York Post reported.

The Second Circuit wrote that the District Court “abused its discretion” when it overturned the jury’s verdict, according to Politico.

Archer’s lawyer, Matthew Schwartz, denounced the new ruling.

“As the experienced federal judge who presided over Mr. Archer’s month-long trial determined, he ‘lacked the requisite intent and is thus innocent of the crimes charged,’” Schwartz said.

Related:
Federal Judge Has Bad News for Hunter Biden, Says There's Zero Evidence His Charges Are Politically Motivated

“Today’s ruling, which second-guesses that judge’s decision without having sat through the evidence and listened to the witnesses, is beyond disappointing.”

Hunter Biden’s position on Burisma’s board as his father oversaw U.S. policy in Ukraine has been scrutinized in recent months.

Hunter Biden has said his decision to serve on the board was a “mistake,” Politico reported, but Joe Biden has said, “my son did nothing wrong.”

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , ,
Share
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.
Birthplace
Tucson, Arizona
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated with Honors
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon
Books Written
Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future
Location
Prescott, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, French
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Health, Entertainment, Faith




Conversation