The California State Bar Association has dismissed a complaint against entertainment lawyer Kevin Morris, known for representing the creators of “South Park” and for his close relationship with Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden. The complaint, filed by filmmaker Phelim McAleer, alleged that Morris had unethically infiltrated the production of McAleer’s film, “My Son Hunter,” in Serbia by misrepresenting himself as a documentary filmmaker while actually acting as Hunter Biden’s lawyer. McAleer contended that Morris used deceptive tactics to gain access to the film’s production, concealing his true purpose of conducting legal investigative work on behalf of his client. The bar association’s dismissal, communicated in a concise letter, stated that their investigation found no grounds for further action.
Morris, who has reportedly provided substantial financial assistance to Hunter Biden, including loans and gifts totaling at least $6.5 million, celebrated the bar association’s decision, characterizing the complaint as a politically motivated attack by right-wing extremists. He emphasized his adherence to professional conduct rules throughout his 36-year career and expressed relief that the matter was closed. He dismissed the film as a “nasty movie” and suggested the filmmakers were embarrassed by their actions. Meanwhile, McAleer expressed his intention to appeal the decision, criticizing the bar association’s investigation as biased and inadequate. He believes Morris was exonerated due to ambiguity surrounding the precise nature of his representation of Hunter Biden at the time of the alleged infiltration. McAleer pointed to inconsistencies in Morris’s statements regarding his relationship with Hunter, highlighting testimony where Morris acknowledged Hunter as his client while also claiming they sought advice from separate attorneys.
The relationship between Morris and Hunter Biden dates back to a 2019 fundraiser for then-candidate Joe Biden. Morris has described their connection as a genuine personal bond, maintaining that he expects to be repaid for the financial support he has provided. The nature and extent of this financial assistance, including loans and coverage of tax repayments, legal bills, and living expenses, have come under scrutiny. Congressional testimony revealed that Hunter Biden’s debt to Morris, due to be repaid starting in 2025, could be forgiven in case of default, with Morris even suggesting unconventional repayment methods like car washes.
This incident is not the first time Morris has faced scrutiny for his association with Hunter Biden. The America First Legal Foundation, founded by Stephen Miller, a former advisor to Donald Trump, filed a separate complaint against Morris with the California bar association. This complaint alleged unethical conduct by Morris, including using marijuana in the presence of Hunter Biden, a recovering drug addict, and improperly acting as both attorney and benefactor to the first son. The status of this separate complaint remains unclear.
The controversy surrounding Hunter Biden and his uncle, James Biden, and their foreign business dealings, which often implicated President Biden, has diminished in prominence since the president’s decision to end his reelection campaign in July. The House Republican-led impeachment inquiry into these matters concluded quietly in August, issuing a report without recommending any further action. Furthermore, President Biden issued a full pardon to Hunter Biden in December, as the latter awaited sentencing following convictions on gun felonies and a guilty plea to tax fraud charges.
The dismissal of the bar complaint against Kevin Morris brings to a close this particular chapter in the ongoing saga surrounding Hunter Biden’s legal and financial affairs. However, the broader questions surrounding the first family’s business dealings and their intersection with political influence remain subjects of ongoing debate and speculation. The contrasting perspectives of Morris and McAleer underscore the deep partisan divide that continues to shape the narrative surrounding these events. While Morris depicts the complaint as a malicious attempt by political opponents to tarnish his reputation, McAleer views the dismissal as evidence of preferential treatment for those connected to the Biden family. The ongoing legal proceedings and public discourse surrounding Hunter Biden and his associates will likely continue to fuel these competing interpretations.
