The son of President Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, may face criminal charges after negotiations on a possible guilty plea have reached a dead end, Sky News writes.

Prosecutor David Weiss made the comments after he was promoted to special prosecutor to investigate the financial affairs of 53-year-old Hunter Biden.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland promoted Weiss, who as the U.S. attorney in Delaware already investigated the Hunter Biden case, now has additional powers.

Weiss will be responsible for the “ongoing investigation” of the president’s son, “as well as any other matters that have arisen or may arise as a result of this investigation,” the Justice Department said in a statement.

Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to two tax charges in a Delaware court last month after a plea deal he struck on tax evasion and gun charges fell through after a judge refused to accept the proposed deal.

He was charged with evading $100,000 in taxes on more than $1.5 million in income earned in 2017 and 2018.

Weiss, who was originally appointed to the post by former President Donald Trump, said the trial may be “in order” after the plea deal fell apart.

Prosecutors say Biden may have to face charges in Washington or California.

“The parties undertook to continue the negotiations on the admission of guilt, but reached an impasse. Now the government believes that this case can be resolved only through a court proceeding,” the message reads.

He could be sentenced to up to 18 months in prison, but forensic experts believe that is unlikely in the absence of a criminal record and after pleading guilty.

Joe Biden’s son’s problems with the law

In another case, the son of the US president is charged with illegal possession of a firearm while intoxicated, which is a more serious crime. Through a deal with the Delaware District Attorney’s Office, Hunter was able to take the case out of court, avoiding a conviction and possibly even prison time.

While his son is in trouble with justice, Democratic President Biden is campaigning for re-election. In next year’s presidential election, he could again face Republican Donald Trump, whom he defeated in the 2020 election.

There were no public events on the agenda of the leader of the White House on Wednesday, which eliminates the risk that journalists will ask him uncomfortable questions, according to Reuters.

For years, Republicans have accused Hunter Biden of using his father’s political power in business dealings in Ukraine and China for personal gain. However, an investigation by Trump-appointed Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss found no evidence of that.

Accusations of US prosecutors of favoritism against Hunter Biden

Contrary to normal practice, Weiss was let go after Joe Biden became president, allowing him to continue the investigation.

News of the June deal with prosecutors sparked new public accusations from Trump and his allies that the president’s son was getting preferential treatment.

The former president claimed Hunter got a soft deal “like a traffic ticket.” US Attorney General Merrick Garland denied the claims and said Weiss had a free hand to investigate Hunter.

Weiss himself stated that no one interfered in his work. Hunter Biden worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, consultant, investment banker and artist. He spoke publicly about his struggle with addiction to drugs, including cocaine, and alcohol.