Trump pardons Devon Archer, former Hunter Biden business associate
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump pardoned Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, the former president’s son, for his conviction for committing fraud against a Native American tribe involving more than $60 million in bonds.
Trump said he had heard from “many people” that Archer was treated unfairly because he became a witness for congressional Republicans who were investigating possible corruption of former President Joe Biden and his son Hunter through the son’s business deals.
“They think he was treated very unfairly,” Trump said of his advisers. “He was a victim of a crime, as far I’m concerned. So we’re going to undo that.”
“Congratulations, Devon,” Trump said, holding the paperwork aloft after signing it at the White House.
Archer was convicted of fraud with a Native American tribe
Archer had been convicted with others of conspiring in a fraudulent scheme to have the Wakpamni Lake Community Corp. issue a series of worthless bonds “through lies and misrepresentations," deceptively cause investments to buy the bonds and then misappropriate the proceeds, according to federal prosecutors.
Archer was sentenced to a year and a day in prison. He was also ordered to forfeit $15.7 million and to make restitution of $43.4 million.
Joe and Hunter Biden have denied the former president benefited from the son’s business deals. Hunter Biden wasn't charged in the fraud case.
Prosecutors who charged Hunter Biden with tax and gun crimes said he appeared to have no influence over federal policy. The president pardoned his son before leaving office.
Archer testified in GOP probe about Hunter Biden's relationship with his father
Archer testified at the House Oversight and Accountability Committee in July 2023 that years earlier Hunter Biden got his father, when Joe Biden was vice president, to visit dinners or join calls more than 20 times to signal the son’s access to power and influence.
But Archer also testified the conversations were generally “about the geography, about the weather, whatever it may be,” rather than a business deal under discussion.
Archer described his conviction after an “indisputably complex case” came after another defendant, Jason Galanis, pleaded guilty and admitted being the “mastermind of the conspiracy and a serial fraudster.”
Archer had asked the Supreme Court to overturn his conviction, but the court rejected his petition in January 2024.