Hunter Biden Received Over $4 Million from Burisma During Father's Vice Presidency

Hunter Biden, son of then-Vice President Joe Biden, received over $4 million in payments while serving on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings, a tenure that spanned from April 2014 to April 2019. The payments, reportedly ranging from $50,000 to $83,333 per month, have been a focal point of criticism and allegations of conflict of interest, as highlighted by social media commentary. As Deva Hazarika stated in a recent tweet, "> Yeah, I know Hunter got a few million from Burisma mainly cuz his dad was VP, but lol wow."

Hunter Biden's appointment to the Burisma board coincided with his father's prominent role in U.S. policy toward Ukraine, leading to scrutiny regarding potential impropriety. Critics alleged that the younger Biden's position was intended to leverage his father's influence. Despite extensive investigations, including by the U.S. Senate, no direct evidence has emerged to substantiate claims that Joe Biden altered U.S. policy to benefit Burisma or his son.

The controversy also involved allegations that then-Vice President Joe Biden pressured Ukraine to fire its top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, to protect Burisma. However, numerous reports indicate that Shokin's removal was widely sought by Western governments and international organizations, including the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, due to his perceived ineffectiveness in combating corruption. Biden's actions were consistent with broader anti-corruption efforts and official U.S. policy at the time.

Burisma Holdings, one of Ukraine's largest private natural gas producers, was founded by Mykola Zlochevsky, a former ecology minister. The company has faced its own share of controversies, including allegations of corruption and money laundering, some of which predated Hunter Biden's involvement. The appointment of high-profile foreign nationals to its board was widely seen as an effort by Burisma to enhance its image and influence during a period of political instability in Ukraine.