Hunter Biden’s Manhattan art dealer has refused to provide any information about buyers of the first son’s paintings to a congressional committee investigating the Biden family’s business dealings, The Post has learned.
In a Feb. 6 letter to Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, a lawyer for art dealer George Burgess asked the committee to see records about clients. has expressed “concern” about compliance. Those who have purchased Hunter’s work.
Refusal to comply with a congressional subpoena can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and up to one year in prison.
The committee, which is investigating President Biden’s international and domestic business dealings, is scheduled to begin hearings on Wednesday.
The Post has seen the letter from attorney William Pittard, who represents Burgess and Georges Burgess Galleries LLC. It notes that providing information about buyers would violate White House rules specifically designed to deal with the sale of Hunter Biden’s artwork in 2021.
“Providing the documents and information requested in your letter would apparently frustrate efforts by Mr. Biden and the White House to avoid the ‘serious ethics concerns’ you raise,” Pittard wrote, citing July 2021 press briefing In which then press secretary Jane Psaki laid out the ground rules for selling art.
Psaki noted that one of the “safeguards” included maintaining the privacy of the buyers “because if the White House didn’t know about those buyers, it would be impossible for the administration to give the buyers any favors based on the purchases.” It seems,” Pittard notes. .
“In light of these considerations, providing the requested documents and information
Your letter will apparently thwart efforts by Mr. Biden and the White House to avoid the ‘serious ethics concerns’ you raise,” Pittard writes. “Mr. Briggs hopes you and Mr. Biden can resolve this tension.
This letter is in response to the committee’s January 25 request.
Burgess’ attorney also pointed to a 2020 United States Supreme Court ruling that effectively barred three congressional committees — including the Committee on Oversight and Accountability — from “disclosing the transactions of the president and his family.” documents,” the letter said.
The ruling concerned former President Donald Trump and his children, and found that the requests made by three congressional committees seeking information about family finances were too broad in scope. In the same ruling, the high court ruled that a New York grand jury could subpoena the former president’s tax returns and financial records.
Burgess, who runs eponymous galleries in Soho and Berlin, has represented Hunter, 53, for the past few years. The gallery has two features. Solo shows 2021 and 2022 of the scandal-ridden ex-lawyer’s artwork. The self-taught artist’s paintings ranged in price from $75,000 to $500,000.
The most recent show, titled “Haiku,” opened in December, and featured a 57-by-98-inch untitled painting of a mustard yellow flower valued at $225,000. It is not clear if it has found a buyer.
Hunter Biden, a former drug addict whose infamous laptop allegedly contained influence-peddling e-mails while he was vice president, has been paid less for five prints to be shown at a 2021 Hollywood art show. Received at least $375,000.
Berges, who in the past has declined to identify buyers of Hunter’s art, citing buyer confidentiality agreements, declined to comment Tuesday.
A spokesman for the Committee on Oversight and Accountability did not immediately return a request for comment.
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