Hunter Biden case could put prosecutors in the spotlight

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US Attorney David Weiss has managed to avoid the spotlight during his 20-year career as a federal prosecutor, but that may soon change.

Weiss now finds himself overseeing a politically charged investigation into Hunter Biden’s possible tax misconduct and other aspects of his business dealings.

66-year-old Weiss, a Republican, must decide whether there is enough evidence to bring a federal grand jury indictment against the son of a still-serving president, Democrat Joseph Biden.

“David is a sniper,” said a former close associate of Weiss who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity.

Former associates described Weiss as a moderate Republican who was apolitical in his work. “He’s not Trumper nor is he close to Biden.”

President Donald Trump at the time appointed Weiss to be the US Attorney in Delaware in 2018. He had acted as head of the office at the time and received support from US Delaware Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, both Democrats.

Biden chose to keep Weiss in the position, the only Trump-appointed US attorney remaining, because he understood the political risks of removing prosecutors amid the ongoing investigation into Hunter Biden. Hunter Biden’s attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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In overseeing the four-year investigation, several former associates of Weiss told CBS News that Weiss would not be overly aggressive or overprotective in handling the investigation.

“David is an avid professional attorney,” said Robert Kravetz, a 13-year former assistant U.S. Attorney for Delaware.

Gray-haired Weiss, originally from Philadelphia, is an assistant U.S. Attorney. in office from 1986 to 1989. While there, he prosecuted corruption, money laundering, and mail and wire fraud.

He left and became a partner at the law firm Duane Morris but returned for several stints in the US Attorney’s office before becoming the acting US Attorney in 2017.

“He’s a leader who cares about the people who work for him,” Kravetz said. He noted that Weiss left for private practice and other work over the years but was repeatedly invited to rejoin the office under U.S. Attorney. of the two political parties.

“He provided calm and steady leadership,” Kravetz said. “He’s definitely not looking for the limelight.”