The $20 million defamation lawsuit by IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler against Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, underscores the financial and institutional hurdles whistleblowers often face.
At a Glance
- IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler have filed a $20 million defamation lawsuit against Hunter Biden’s attorney Abbe Lowell.
- The lawsuit accuses Lowell of retaliating against the whistleblowers by making defamatory statements to the media.
- Lowell allegedly claimed that Shapley and Ziegler illegally leaked Hunter Biden’s private tax information.
- Shapley and Ziegler assert that Lowell’s actions have caused “incredible and malicious harm” to their reputations.
Defamation Lawsuit Details
IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler have filed a defamation lawsuit against Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, seeking $20 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges that Lowell retaliated against the whistleblowers by making defamatory statements to the media, accusing them of illegally leaking Hunter Biden’s private tax information.
According to the lawsuit, Lowell’s statements have caused substantial and malicious harm to the professional and personal reputations of Shapley and Ziegler. The whistleblowers state that they acted with honor and integrity in exposing conflicts of interest and preferential treatment in the investigation of Hunter Biden’s tax affairs.
IRS whistleblowers sue Hunter Biden’s attorney for $20M in defamation case: 'Clear malice' https://t.co/XvIGCXnDHH
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 14, 2024
Accusations and Legal Counterclaims
Lowell’s allegations include claims that Shapley and Ziegler committed crimes, such as the illegal disclosure of grand jury materials. The whistleblowers counter that their disclosures were made to Congress professionally and did not involve public discussion of non-public return information. The supposed defamatory actions include Lowell’s Sept. 14, 2023 letter to congressional committees and media releases.
Shapley and Ziegler argue that Hunter Biden’s guilty plea to federal tax charges validates their concerns regarding the investigation’s handling. They accuse Lowell of retaliating against them for revealing preferential treatment in the investigation process.
The Broader Implications
The agents are seeking $10 million each from Abbe Lowell, claiming that his accusations were made maliciously, causing significant harm to their reputations. The legal battle outlines stark financial and institutional barriers that whistleblowers often confront, further complicated by political influences within the legal industry.
During the investigation, both agents claim that the process was hindered by unnecessary approvals and roadblocks. They believe political influence played a significant role in delaying and obstructing the investigation of Hunter Biden’s tax affairs.
The lawsuit illustrates the conflicts and challenges faced by whistleblowers in pursuing justice, especially when it involves high-profile figures. The charges against Hunter Biden included three felonies and six misdemeanors related to $1.4 million in unpaid taxes. Despite Biden’s guilty plea, he remains free on bond until his sentencing date on December 16.
