Biden’s brother ‘used his name to promote chain of hospitals’
JOE BIDEN’S name was used by his younger brother James to promote a hospital chain, which later collapsed, it has been alleged.
Republicans in Congress have been pursuing the Biden family’s business dealings and James Biden, 74, is due to appear before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Wednesday, a week ahead of the president’s son, Hunter.
Already facing questions about his involvement with Chinese state-linked CEFC China Energy, James Biden is also under scrutiny over Americore, a hospital chain providing health care in rural America in several states including Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
The Politico website claims that James Biden used his links to the then-vice-president, as part of his pitch for consulting work for the company.
One former Americore executive told Politico that James Biden spoke of plans to give his brother a stake in the company and a place on the board.
Mr Biden, who allegedly described himself as an adviser to Joe Biden, said that if Americore proved successful in providing rural healthcare, it could be promoted in a future presidential campaign. He also offered to secure Middle Eastern funding for Americore, Politico alleged.
When the money did not arrive, it allegedly added to Americore’s financial problems, culminating in its eventual bankruptcy.
Americore has since been the subject of several investigations.
Last year the Securities and Exchange Commission accused one of James Biden’s business partners of fraud related to loans to the company. The allegations have been denied.
The Justice Department has alleged Americore’s hospital in Pennsylvania paid kickbacks in a scheme which saw Medicare billed for unnecessary lab tests.
According to Politico, the president never involved himself in Americore. However, on the day James Biden was paid $200,000 by Americore, he wrote a cheque to Joe – which the White House said was repayment of a loan. Paul Fishman, James Biden’s lawyer, said the president’s brother, who is not accused of criminal wrongdoing had “conducted himself ethically and honourably in all his business dealings”.
Last year, court documents emerged that alleged James Biden was hired by a US construction company to help business negotiations in Saudi Arabia.
According to affidavits, he claimed that the country “would not dare stiff the brother of the vice-president, who would be instrumental to the deal”.
The US president has insisted that he never discussed either his son Hunter’s or brother’s business affairs.
The Telegraph has approached the White House and James Biden’s attorney for comment.