Hunter Biden has requested the dismissal of a federal lawsuit he filed against a former White House aide, citing financial difficulties that have made it challenging for him to continue legal proceedings.
In a filing submitted to a federal court in California, Biden’s attorneys asked U.S. District Judge Hernan D. Vera to dismiss the 2023 civil case against Garrett Ziegler. The lawsuit had alleged that Ziegler and his organization, Marco Polo, published personal emails in an online database.
Biden’s legal team stated that his income has significantly decreased and that he is managing large amounts of debt. They also noted that recent wildfires in the Pacific Palisades rendered his rental home uninhabitable, further compounding his financial stress. He is reportedly facing challenges in finding a new place to live and generating income.
His attorneys explained that due to these issues, Biden needs to focus on securing housing, supporting his family, and addressing other personal matters instead of pursuing the litigation.
Biden had originally sued Ziegler over the publication of approximately 128,000 emails in an online database. Though Ziegler previously sought to have the case dismissed, the court had initially declined to do so.
In a court declaration, Biden stated he is unable to borrow money and has not secured the anticipated speaking engagements or art sales that once provided financial support. According to the filing, he sold 27 art pieces in prior years at an average of $54,500 each, but has sold only one piece for $36,000 since filing the lawsuit.
Biden also dropped another legal case earlier this week against two IRS agents, which had alleged violations of privacy. That case, filed in 2023, was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.
Attorneys for the former agents issued a public response, stating they viewed the dismissal as an indication of the case’s lack of merit.
Hunter Biden continues to face financial and legal challenges, and recent filings indicate a shift in focus toward resolving personal matters rather than pursuing further litigation.
