In documents submitted to a federal court in California, Biden’s attorneys requested U.S. District Judge Hernan D. Vera to dismiss the 2023 lawsuit against Garrett Ziegler. They claimed that Hunter Biden’s income had “decreased significantly” and that he was now confronted with increasing debts totaling millions of dollars. The filing also underscored how external circumstances—such as wildfires in the Pacific Palisades that made his rental property uninhabitable for a prolonged period—had worsened his financial difficulties. This report offers a comprehensive overview of the critical aspects of the case, the arguments presented by Biden’s lawyers, and the wider implications of his financial struggles on his legal challenges.
Background of the Lawsuit
The Origin of the Litigation
The lawsuit at hand was launched in September 2023 when Hunter Biden initiated a case against Garrett Ziegler and his firm, Marco Polo. According to Biden’s legal representatives, Ziegler and his associates breached state and federal laws by attempting to establish a searchable online database containing approximately 128,000 emails allegedly from Biden. These emails were thought to have originated from a laptop that had become the focus of extensive controversy and intense public examination. Ziegler, who previously worked as an assistant to Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro from February 2019 to January 2021, had also sought dismissal of the case.
Financial Constraints and Legal Strategy
In their most recent court documents, attorneys representing Hunter Biden clearly indicated that his financial circumstances had worsened to such an extent that pursuing the litigation was no longer practical. They asserted that his income had significantly decreased compared to prior years and that he was encumbered by millions in debt. The filing highlighted that Biden’s financial struggles were not solely due to legal costs but were exacerbated by various other unfavorable economic conditions.
A major factor mentioned by Biden’s legal representatives was the effect of wildfires in the Pacific Palisades. These wildfires rendered his rental residence uninhabitable for a prolonged duration, further undermining his financial stability. Consequently, the attorneys argued that Biden was confronted with substantial difficulties in obtaining stable housing, generating a consistent income, and managing the ongoing expenses related to his legal and personal matters. They insisted that his time and resources ought to be redirected towards addressing these pressing issues—such as moving to a new permanent residence and supporting his family’s living costs—rather than being consumed by extended litigation.
Detailed Analysis of Hunter Biden’s Financial Woes
Declining Income from Art and Book Sales
One of the most notable elements of Hunter Biden’s financial story is the significant drop in income from his artistic pursuits. Traditionally, Biden had earned a considerable share of his income from the sale of his artwork and his autobiography. In the two to three years leading up to the lawsuit, he reportedly sold 27 art pieces, with each piece averaging around $54,500. However, following the initiation of the lawsuit, the sales figures experienced a sharp decline. To date, he has managed to sell only one piece of art for approximately $36,000—a drastic reduction that has profoundly affected his overall income.
