Hunter Biden Wins $1.7 Million From Patrick Byrne Over $800 Million Iran Bribe Defamation
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 14
Hunter Biden Wins $1.7 Million From Patrick Byrne Over $800 Million Iran Bribe Defamation
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 14
Summary
A California federal judge awarded Hunter Biden $1.7 million in punitive damages, $1 in nominal damages and $35,000 in sanctions after Patrick Byrne defaulted in the defamation case.
Judge Stephen Wilson said Byrne fabricated the Iran bribery story, lacked any documentary evidence and failed to show his claimed Iranian source had direct contact with Biden.
The suit stemmed from Byrne's 2023 interview claim that Biden sought an $800 million bribe to help unfreeze $8 billion in Iranian assets and soften U.S. nuclear-talks policy.
Biden called the ruling proof that "the rule of law prevailed," while his lawyer said they would return to court if Byrne repeats the allegations.
The judgment lands as Biden has reemerged publicly after a pardon on gun and tax convictions, with recent podcast, Substack and social-media appearances.