Former Associate Raises Doubts on Testimony
In his opening statement to the House Oversight Committee, Eric Schwerin testified that he performed various administrative and bookkeeping tasks for Joe Biden’s household finances between 2009 and 2017. He also stated that he assisted Biden’s accountants in tax preparation and financial disclosure statements. However, a former business associate of Schwerin expressed skepticism, suggesting that emails and transactions might contradict his statement.
Schwerin’s First Formal Testimony
This testimony marked Eric Schwerin’s first formal appearance before the committee. He had previously met with the House Oversight Committee staff in March. Schwerin revealed that he first met Hunter Biden while working in the Clinton administration at the Commerce Department. After their government service, they co-founded Rosemont Seneca Partners, a consulting and investment firm.
No Evidence of Financial Transactions or Compensation
Schwerin clarified that, based on his insight into Biden’s bank accounts, he was unaware of any financial transactions or compensation received by the former vice president related to business conducted by his family members or associates. He further stated that he had no knowledge of Biden taking any official action on behalf of Hunter’s clients or business deals.
Denial of Involvement in Hunter’s Business Activities
Eric Schwerin firmly denied any involvement by Joe Biden, as a public official or private citizen, in any of Hunter’s business activities. He emphasized that he never asked Biden to take any official actions for Hunter’s clients. Schwerin also stated that he had no recollection of promising or suggesting to any clients or business associates that Biden would leverage his position for their benefit.
Allegations of Preposterous Conduct
Schwerin dismissed the allegations of improper conduct by Joe Biden as preposterous, given his awareness of Biden’s finances and the explicit directions he gave to his financial advisers. He emphasized that Biden always maintained a transparent and ethical approach in compliance with the law.
Additional Questions Remain
A source familiar with the testimony pointed out that Schwerin’s opening statement was narrowly tailored and did not address the majority of questions concerning his knowledge and participation in the Biden family’s business schemes. The source also revealed that Schwerin admitted to having no insight into key foreign payments to the Bidens.
Revelation of Email Communication
In a previous report by Fox News Digital, it was revealed that Joe Biden had used email aliases and private email addresses to communicate with Hunter Biden and his business associates, including Eric Schwerin. The House Ways & Means Committee highlighted that 54 of these emails were exclusively between Biden and Schwerin. The committee referred to Schwerin as the “architect of the Biden family’s shell companies.”
Increase in Communication During Ukraine Visits
Data analysis shows that the direct emails between Schwerin and Joe Biden increased during the vice president’s trips to Ukraine. The committee shared that there were five emails exchanged in June 2014 before Biden’s trip to Ukraine that month. Additionally, 27 emails were exchanged between the two after that trip and before Biden’s November 2014 visit to Ukraine.
Connection to Burisma Holdings
Hunter Biden joined the board of Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings in April 2014. During the same period, Joe Biden successfully pressured Ukraine to fire the Ukrainian prosecutor who was investigating Burisma Holdings. Biden’s allies argue that this action was taken due to concerns about corruption and was in line with the U.S. and international community’s stance.
