US Republicans probe art sales by Biden’s son

Agencies | Washington                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

The matter of who buys artwork produced by Joe Biden’s son, a former lawyer with a troubled past, is taking center stage on Capitol Hill -- where Republicans have vowed to use their new House majority to aggressively investigate the president’s family.

The chairman of the powerful House Oversight Committee on Wednesday demanded a New York art gallery produce a list of who has bought artwork made by Hunter Biden.

“Your arrangement with Hunter Biden raises serious ethics concerns and calls into question whether the Biden family is again selling access and influence,” Republican James Comer of Kentucky said in his letter.

Comer requested the gallery’s owner, Georges Berges, testify before his committee next month. Hunter Biden is a favorite target of Republicans, particularly over his prior work with foreign firms. He is the president’s second of four children, though his older brother died of cancer in 2015, and he has publicly discussed struggles with addiction.

The Republicans suggest that wealthy influence seekers may buy Hunter Biden’s artwork with the aim of winning favor at the White House. According to Comer, some of the paintings exhibited by the New York gallery have price tags up to $225,000.