Categories: Politics

Hunter Biden gallerist tells lawmakers he never spoke to White House about paintings: sources

Hunter Biden’s art dealer told lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Tuesday that he has never discussed the paintings with the White House, Fox News Digital has learned.

A source familiar with Georges Bergès’ transcribed interview before the House Oversight Committee said Bergès told lawmakers he’s had no communication with the White House, including about Hunter Biden’s paintings.

Bergès stated that he never told Hunter Biden who any of the buyers were, the source said. 

The gallerist is speaking to the Oversight Committee behind closed doors as part of House Republicans’ impeachment inquiry into President Biden. GOP lawmakers have accused Biden of using his status and name to enrich himself and his family.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS CONSIDER HOLDING HUNTER BIDEN IN CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS

Georges Berges appeared before the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday. (Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Republican investigators have suggested they are suspicious over whether Hunter Biden’s art career, which began in recent years, has led to any conflicts of interest between wealthy buyers and the White House.

A second source familiar with the interview confirmed to Fox News Digital that Bergès said he did not discuss Hunter Biden’s paintings or anything else with the White House, but said it proved that a widely reported “ethics agreement” between Biden officials and Bergès’ gallery to prevent wrongdoing was a lie.

HOUSE GOP PROBING IF BIDEN WAS INVOLVED IN HUNTER’S ‘SCHEME’ TO DEFY SUBPOENA, POTENTIAL ‘IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE’

“The White House’s ‘ethics’ agreement regarding Hunter Biden’s art was a sham. The White House never facilitated any agreement, despite saying the opposite to the public,” the second source said.

George Bergès is the art dealer for Hunter Biden, the son of President Biden. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

“George Bergès stated he never had any communication with the White House about an agreement about Hunter Biden’s art and admitted Hunter Biden knew the identities of the individuals who purchased roughly 70% of the value of his art, including Democrat donors Kevin Morris and Elizabeth Hirsh Naftali.”

A large share of that 70% is entertainment lawyer Kevin Morris, the first source said, who loaned Hunter Biden $4.9 million between 2020 and 2022.

JORDAN SAYS HUNTER BIDEN MADE A ‘HUGE CHANGE’ BY SAYING HIS FATHER WAS ‘NOT FINANCIALLY INVOLVED’ IN BUSINESS

The White House has openly referenced that agreement in the past, but details have been vague. 

Former Biden press secretary Jen Psaki lauded it in July 2021 for “a level of protection and transparency” but when asked about ethical concerns the following month, said, “we have spoken extensively to the arrangements, which are not White House arrangements; they’re arrangements between Hunter Biden’s representatives and ones that we, certainly, were made aware of.”

House Republicans are investigating whether President Biden committed impeachable offenses. (Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The second source provided additional details on the hefty sums that Bergès said Hunter Biden’s art fetched from prominent Democratic donors.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

That includes $875,000 in art purchased by Morris.

Elizabeth Hirsh Naftali, who the president appointed to the Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad in 2022, bought Hunter Biden’s art for $42,000 in 2021 and for $52,000 at the end of 2022.

Share

Recent Posts

Second judge orders Trump admin to rehire probationary workers let go in mass firings

A second judge late Thursday ordered the Trump administration to reinstate probationary workers who were…

3 hours ago

Trump ‘hopes’ Putin agrees to ceasefire as Moscow signals no truce yet

close Video Trump holds out 'hope' while Putin holds on to Ukraine Trump discusses Russia,…

5 hours ago

Trump downplays China-Russia-Iran nuclear talks, says they may discuss ‘de-escalation’

close Video NATO chief praises Trump: 'You broke the deadlock' on Ukraine President Donald Trump…

5 hours ago

American Airlines flight catches fire in Denver, passengers appear to evacuate onto plane’s wing

close Video American Airlines plane catches fire at Denver International Airport Passengers seen escaping American…

5 hours ago

University of Central Florida suspends 2 fraternities for alleged hazing, including hitting pledges with cars

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for March 13 Fox News Flash top headlines…

5 hours ago

Missing American in Dominican Republic: No suspects as search for Sudiksha Konanki reaches one week

close Video Officials desperately search for Sudiksha Konanki as disappearance marks one week Riu Republica…

5 hours ago