Art dealer George Bergès has revealed details about the terms of the art deals involving Hunter Biden to House committees. According to a transcript of the interview reviewed by NBC News, Hunter Biden initially insisted on knowing the identities of buyers for his artwork, but later retracted this directive, which Bergès described as “unusual.”
Bergès, who represented Hunter Biden as his gallery director, testified that no conversations were ever held with buyers regarding political favors from the president or the White House. This testimony came as part of House Republicans’ inquiry into President Joe Biden. However, the timeline of events raises questions about the Biden administration’s ethics safeguards surrounding the sales, which had garnered attention from art world insiders and good governance experts.
Contrary to initial statements by the White House, Bergès disclosed that he was “surprised” by a report in the summer of 2021 that claimed White House officials had helped create an agreement between Hunter Biden and his buyers. Bergès clarified that he had never spoken to the White House about this matter.
The interview with Bergès also sheds light on Hunter Biden’s art sales as a potential means to pay off debts owed to Hollywood attorney Kevin Morris. According to NBC News, Morris had advised Hunter Biden since 2020 and eventually paid around $2 million in outstanding tax obligations to the IRS on his behalf. Bergès revealed that Hunter would have had to discuss the terms of the sale with Morris before the deal was finalized.
After the agreement was revised, Bergès explained that nothing would have prevented a buyer from informing Hunter Biden that they had purchased his artwork. Although Bergès no longer represents Hunter, he emphasized their close relationship, describing him as “one of my best friends.”
Morris, who is Hunter Biden’s largest collector, acquired $875,000 worth of artwork through a business entity in January 2023. He paid Bergès a 40% commission while planning to resolve the remaining balance with Hunter directly. Bergès testified that he did not know if the gallery had provided Hunter Biden with the necessary tax documents reflecting the payment from Morris.
Bergès also mentioned another buyer known to Hunter Biden, Elizabeth Hirsh Naftali, a prominent Democratic donor who received a White House appointment last year. Hirsh Naftali, the great aunt of a 4-year-old who was freed by Hamas in a prisoner exchange, made her first purchase of Hunter Biden’s artwork in February 2021. In December 2022, she purchased a second piece, totaling $94,000. Bergès clarified that Hunter Biden learned about her identity through press reports.
The information provided by George Bergès offers new insights into the intricacies of Hunter Biden’s art deals and raises further questions about the potential influence these transactions may have had. The House committees are continuing their investigation, seeking to uncover any potential ethical concerns or conflicts of interest related to these art sales.
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