Current:Home > InvestSignalHub Quantitative Think Tank Center:See IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley's handwritten notes about meeting with U.S. attorney leading Hunter Biden investigation -MacroWatch
SignalHub Quantitative Think Tank Center:See IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley's handwritten notes about meeting with U.S. attorney leading Hunter Biden investigation
Indexbit View
Date:2025-04-06 04:37:42
After testimony by a senior FBI agent assigned to the Hunter Biden investigation cast doubt on SignalHub Quantitative Think Tank CenterIRS whistleblower Gary Shapley's allegations that the U.S. attorney leading the probe, David Weiss, said he lacked the authority to bring charges in the case, CBS News obtained what Shapley said were his contemporaneous, handwritten notes from the October 2022 meeting.
"Weiss stated — He is not the deciding person," Shapley's note reads.
Shapley also said that in that meeting, Weiss stated that he had been denied special counsel status.
In June, Attorney General Merrick Garland had said that Weiss would be able "to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted to and in any district in which he wanted to."
In letters to Congress, Weiss insisted he had the "ultimate authority." In August, Garland said Weiss had informed him that his investigation had reached a stage where he believed his work should continue as special counsel, and he then asked for the designation. Garland said he concluded it was "in the public interest" to appoint Weiss special counsel, giving him expanded powers to continue the probe, in light of the "extraordinary circumstances" of the case.
- See Shapley's handwritten notes here.
The transcript of the GOP-led House Judiciary Committee's deposition on Sept. 7 with the FBI special agent, first reported by the Washington Post, and independently reviewed by CBS News, shows Thomas J. Sobocinski told the committee that he did not remember Weiss saying that he didn't have the ability to decide on prosecuting Hunter Biden or where any charges against him could be filed.
During the interview, according to the transcript, FBI Special Agent Thomas Sobocinski was asked about Shapley's allegations, and he was shown the IRS supervisor's contemporaneous notes.
Majority General Counsel: So you do not remember the U.S. attorney stating that he is not the deciding person on whether charges are filed?
Sobocinski: Yeah, I do not.
Sobocinski had a similar response to allegations from Shapley that Weiss had said during the October 2022 meeting that he was previously denied special counsel status.
Question: But it (Shapley's notes) says: 'USA Weiss requested Special counsel authority when it was sent to D.C. and Main DOJ denied his request and told him to follow the process.' Do you see where it says that?
Sobocinski: I do.
Question: Do you have any recollection of Mr. Weiss saying that?
Sobocinski: I don't have a recollection with him saying that there or at any point in my communication with Mr. Weiss.
In a separate line of questioning about the claims, Sobocinski said, "I do not remember — I don't — he didn't say that. In my recollection, if he would have said that, I would have remembered it."
The Justice Department and a spokesperson for Weiss have previously denied the IRS whistleblower allegations, which include that Hunter Biden received preferential treatment as Joe Biden's son during the five-year probe, and that investigators were prevented from pursuing evidence that might have led to President Biden. The FBI and Justice Department declined to comment on the whistleblower's contemporaneous notes.
On Wednesday, Shapley's lawyers wrote to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler, saying, "...[W]e are today providing those committees an unredacted version of SSA Shapley's contemporaneous handwritten notes. In order for you to assess the truthfulness and reliability of Mr. Sobocinski's testimony."
In his deposition in May, Shapley included internal IRS communications to back up his claims. "Exhibit 10" is an email exchange between IRS staff members Darrell J. Waldon, Michael T. Batdorf and Shapley on Oct. 11, 2022, in which Shapley asked the two if his summary of the Oct. 7, 2022 meeting — including allegations that Weiss said he didn't have the authority to charge Hunter Biden — was accurate. Waldon responded, "You covered it all." The IRS did not immediately respond to CBS News' request for comment.
In Wednesday's letter to Jordan and Nadler, Shapley's lawyers say Sobocinski "took no notes" of the October 2022 meeting, while their client, in addition to the handwritten notes, wrote an email to his IRS supervisor to document the discussion. Waldon also recently sat for a transcribed interview. Those transcripts could be released as early as this week.
Nadler's office has not responded to a request for comment. The FBI declined to comment.
Garland is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Sept. 20.
- In:
- David Weiss
- Hunter Biden
Catherine Herridge is a senior investigative correspondent for CBS News covering national security and intelligence based in Washington, D.C.
TwitterveryGood! (5964)
Related
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Gunmen open fire on a school van in Pakistan’s Punjab province, killing 2 children
- Tropical storm forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain to Hawaii this weekend
- 'Ben Affleck, hang in there!' Mindy Kaling jokes as Democratic National Convention host
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Jennifer Lopez wants to go by her maiden name after Ben Affleck divorce, filing shows
- U of Wisconsin regents agree to ask Gov. Tony Evers for $855 million budget increase
- The Latest: Kamala Harris will accept her party’s nomination on final night of DNC
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Housing market showing glimmers of hope amid grim reports
Ranking
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Report clears nearly a dozen officers involved in fatal shooting of Rhode Island man
- At DNC, Gabrielle Giffords joins survivors of gun violence and families of those killed in shootings
- Canada’s largest railroads have come to a full stop. Here’s what you need to know
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Floridians balk at DeSantis administration plan to build golf courses at state parks
- NWSL scraps draft in new CBA, a first in US but typical elsewhere in soccer
- Voting technology firm, conservative outlet seek favorable ruling in 2020 election defamation case
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Pharmacist blamed for deaths in US meningitis outbreak expected to plead no contest in Michigan case
Too early or not soon enough? Internet reacts to Starbucks dropping Pumpkin Spice Lattes Aug. 22
Maryland police officer convicted of tossing smoke bomb at police during Capitol riot
What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
Despite smaller crowds, activists at Democrats’ convention call Chicago anti-war protests a success
Arkansas Supreme Court upholds rejection of abortion rights petitions, blocking ballot measure
Krispy Kreme, Dr Pepper collaborate on new doughnut collection to kick off football season