A former ethics chief in the Obama administration has slammed Hunter Biden amid revelations he may meet with prospective buyers of his paintings at two upcoming art exhibits.
The exhibits - one in Los Angeles and one in New York - are scheduled for the fall, and will feature Hunter's works shortly before they are put up for sale.
Hunter's large oil paintings are expected to fetch upwards of $500,000 each - an eye-popping sum given that he has no formal art qualifications.
The sales have sparked speculation that people may purchase the paintings purely to gain influence with Hunter's father, President Joe Biden. News that Hunter will be in attendance at both art exhibits, potentially mingling with buyers, is fueling such fears.
It also seemingly contradicts White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki's claim that the buyers would be 'anonymous' and that Hunter would not know who they are.
Walter Shaub, who was appointed by President Obama and led the Office of Government Ethics from 2013 to 2017, blasted Hunter for the move in an interview with CBS News on Thursday.
'Is Hunter Biden going to walk around the art show with a blindfold on?' Shaub sarcastically asked.
'It just goes to show you the focus isn't on government ethics. It's just showing the child of a president can cash in on the presidency.'
Hunter Biden's large oil paintings are expected to fetch upwards of $500,000 each when they go for sale later this year. Hunter will reportedly attend two small art shows featuring his works prior to their sale
Former Obama ethics chief Walter Shaub has slammed Hunter Biden amid revelations he may meet with prospective buyers of his paintings at two upcoming art shows
The upcoming sales have sparked speculation that people may purchase the paintings purely to gain influence with Hunter's father, President Joe Biden
A spokeswoman for Georges Bergès Gallery - who are selling Hunter's paintings - confirmed Thursday that he will be in attendance at both of the exhibits.
'He's looking forward to it. It is like someone debuting in the world... of course he will be there,' spokeswoman Robin Davis told CBS News.
Davis stated that everyone invited to the two art shows would be 'vetted' to make sure that they are 'appropriate''.
But Shaub said that puts the onus on the gallery to make sure everything is ethically above board.
He told CBS the Biden administration is 'outsourcing government ethics' to the art gallery owner.
Davis did not disclose the dates of the two art shows to CBS News.
DailyMail.com has contacted the Georges Bergès Gallery for further information.
Davis said Biden and Bergès have been friends 'for years' and that the art dealer 'really wants to help Hunter' as he begins his burgeoning career as a painter.
'I think it's all on the up and up,' she stated about Hunter's mid-life career change.
Would you pay half a million for a Hunter Biden original? The eye-popping prices have prompted some to accuse Hunter of trying to cash in on his proximity to power
