Good luck with that, pal

this dog won’t hunt

Hunter Biden hires Alex Murdaugh's lawyer in latest court case

Hunter Biden has hired a heavyweight South Carolina attorney — with a similar high profile to his last lawyer — to go after a right-wing business executive for defamation.

Former state Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Columbia, a self-described "Joe Biden guy" who recently represented Low Country prosecutor turned convicted killer Alex Murdaugh, is the younger Biden’s new lawyer as he pursues ex-Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne in court.

Biden, who was pardoned by his father for those allegations, is primed to go to Los Angeles court in July against Byrne.

The suit claims Byrne wrongfully accused Biden of being in touch with Iranian officials in 2021, seeking a bribe in exchange for unfreezing $8 billion in funds at the behest of his father.

…. Biden is reportedly claiming defamatory statements from the Iran allegation that led him to lose "economic opportunities," including memoir and art sales and speaking engagements estimated to be collectively worth about $500,000. 

Problems I see include:

• Hunter’s a public figure, so the burden of proof is much, much higher than if he were a private individual

• As a convicted criminal and a fully-exposed (so to speak) history of coke-fueled sex trysts and illegal gun possession, he has no character left to damage.

• “Lost” artwork sales of his scribbles are imaginary; the few paintings that did sell were purchased by buyers seeking access to his father’s influence, and evaporated once that influence faded.

  I suppose a sympathetic jury (is the trial being held in D.C.?) might award the man $1 in nominal damges, but I hope not.