Divorce filing details split of Kathleen, Hunter Biden

Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2017.

Citing "irreconcilable differences," Kathleen Biden filed for divorce from her husband of 23 years, Hunter, late last year, Superior Court records in Washington, D.C. show.

Kathleen's Dec. 9 complaint and subsequent filings detail a rocky relationship between the couple alleging drug use and infidelity dating to at least 2015, shortly after Hunter's brother, former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, died of brain cancer.

On Wednesday, Hunter, the son of former Vice President Joe Biden, confirmed to the New York Post that he is having a romantic relationship with Beau's widow, Hallie.

The 47-year-old lawyer, investment manager and former lobbyist told Page Six, “Hallie and I are incredibly lucky to have found the love and support we have for each other in such a difficult time, and that’s been obvious to the people who love us most. We’ve been so lucky to have family and friends who have supported us every step of the way.”

Joe Biden, wife Jill and Hallie's father, Ron Olivere, have publicly pledged their support for the couple.

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Joe Biden, who served Delaware 36 years in the U.S. Senate, told Page Six, “We are all lucky that Hunter and Hallie found each other as they were putting their lives together again after such sadness. They have mine and Jill’s full and complete support and we are happy for them.”

Hallie, 43, has worked as a high school guidance and admissions counselor. She has two children, daughter Natalie and son Hunter, with the late Beau Biden. She could not be reached for comment this week.  

Hunter has three children with Kathleen, 48, a full-time mother and homemaker. She has not worked outside their D.C. home since she got married, according to court records. Originally from Chicago, Kathleen met Hunter when they were working for the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Later, she campaigned for her father-in-law when he was running for vice president.

Her complaint alleges that Hunter hasn't sufficiently provided for the family after the couple formally separated in October of 2015. In late 2016, Hunter ordered his office to cut Kathleen's $17,000-a-month payment to $7,500, according to the complaint. Property records show that the couple owns a six-bedroom home in D.C. that was purchased for nearly $1.6 million in 2006.  

 Over the course of the separation, Hunter has drained hundreds of thousands of dollars from the couple's marital assets by "spending extravagantly on his own interests (including drugs, alcohol, prostitutes, strip clubs and gifts for women with whom he has sexual relations), while leaving the family with no funds to pay legitimate bills," according to a Feb. 23 motion filed by Kathleen. The motion asks the court to stop Hunter from further "dissipation" of the assets.

In 2014, the Navy Reserve discharged Hunter after he tested positive for cocaine. He had served for less than a year as a public affairs officer.

Hunter's attorneys have not yet responded to the Feb. 23 motion. The next court hearing is scheduled for March 30.

In response to Kathleen's original complaint, Hunter denied that his conduct precipitated the couple's split and maintained that he has sufficiently supported the family during his separation from his wife. Further, Hunter's attorney has requested that Kathleen furnish all documents, including letters, cards and emails "between you and any person that you had a romantic or sexual relationship with other than your husband during the marriage."

In July of 2015, two months after Beau Biden's death, Kathleen told Hunter to leave their Washington home "due to his conduct the night before," according to court documents filed by her attorney. The filing doesn't elaborate on the conduct, only to say that the couple had discussed previously that such conduct would not be tolerated.

Kathleen's attorney, Rebekah Sullivan, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.

Hunter's attorney, Sara Mancinelli, declined comment on the allegations against her client.

"Hunter loves and admires Kathleen as a person, a mother, and a friend," Mancinelli wrote in an email to The News Journal. "He hopes their privacy can be respected at this time."

In 2012, Hunter became board chairman of the United Nations' World Food Program USA. He also sits on the board of one of Ukraine's largest natural gas companies, Burisma.

Despite multiple streams of income, "the parties' outstanding debts are shocking and overwhelming," according to the filing made by Kathleen. These include maxed-out credit card debt, double mortgages on two properties, more than $313,000 in tax debt and three bounced checks to their housekeeper.

Kathleen's complaint accuses Hunter of depositing more than $122,000 in marital income into his sole bank account while they were separated. He spent all the money in less than two months, according to the lawsuit.

On Feb. 17, the complaint says, Kathleen discovered that Hunter was in possession of a large diamond worth about $80,000, which he later returned.

Kathleen has petitioned the court for sole custody of the couple's youngest daughter, 16-year-old Maisy, with "reasonable visitation" by her father.

"Mr. Biden's recent conduct creates situations that are unsafe or traumatic for the parties' children, and his judgment is frequently impaired with respect to their safety, their care, and their best interests," according to her Feb. 23 filing.

Hunter has asked the court for joint custody, noting that "he has always played an active and engaged role in the care and upbringing" of Maisy.

In his Jan. 6 answer to the divorce complaint, Hunter said he is willing to pay child support, but also believes that his wife, a college graduate, can become self-sufficient.   

"Ms. Biden is able to contribute to her own support and the support of the children," the document said.

Contact Margie Fishman at (302) 324-2882, on Twitter @MargieTrende or mfishman@delawareonline.com.

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