Top DOJ prosecutor in DC refutes claim that he blocked Hunter Biden tax charges in his district

In recent closed-door testimony to Congress, the top-ranking Justice Department prosecutor in Washington, DC, refuted claims from two Internal Revenue Service whistleblowers that he blocked federal investigators from charging Hunter Biden with tax crimes in DC, according to a transcript of his testimony obtained by CNN.

Matthew Graves, the US attorney in Washington, said in his private deposition last week that even though his office declined to formally partner up on the case, that he did offer logistical support to David Weiss, the federal prosecutor leading the Hunter Biden probe. Graves affirmed in his testimony that he never did anything to stop Weiss from pursuing charges in DC on his own.

This new testimony discredits claims made by two IRS whistleblowers that House Republicans have used to fuel an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

Graves is the latest federal official whose congressional testimony undercuts specific claims by Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, two IRS agents who came forward earlier this year with allegations that they witnessed political interference in the federal criminal investigation into Hunter Biden’s taxes.

Last month, testimony from a number of FBI and IRS officials cast doubt on key allegations by Shapley and Ziegler, including that Weiss had claimed that he lacked authority to bring charges against the president’s son and that he had been denied a request for special counsel status by Justice Department officials. Weiss has denied both those allegations.

According to a transcript of Graves’ testimony, Weiss called Graves in early 2022 and said he wanted to bring charges against Hunter Biden in DC. Graves offered Weiss a “high-level commitment that we would provide whatever logistical support that he needed” and said his team would explore joining the case.

“It was just assumed…