However, the latest denial from the agency emerged subsequent to the disclosure of federal court filings on Monday, which revealed that the FBI had interviewed the proprietor of the StarQuest Shooter gun store in Wilmington, Delaware. The proprietor stated that both the Delaware State Police and Secret Service agents had visited his business the following day. The .38 caliber pistol was subsequently misplaced.
When questioned by The Post about the latest appeal by special counsel David Weiss, Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the US Secret Service, stated that there was no change in the agency's previous statement. Guglielmi was referring to the agency's 2021 denial, in which he claimed that the Secret Service's records indicated that the agents "had no involvement" in the incident.
Guglielmi stated that while the allegations were known at the time, no information could be found to independently verify them. This was in relation to the claims made by StarQuest Shooter owner Ron Palimere against the FBI. Furthermore, he clarified that the Biden family was not under Secret Service protection at the time.
In a recent interview with the FBI, Palimere disclosed that he had considered entering the gun store on the evening of October 12, 2018, despite the risk of being identified as a potential customer by employees. He further stated that the employees had recognized Biden as a "celebrity-type customer."
Palimere, who acknowledged that his father Joe Biden was not a "gun supporter," stated that he wanted the sale to be completed as soon as possible and Hunter Biden to be removed from the store for fear that Hunter Biden being seen in the business would have a negative impact on business.
Twelve days later, the Delaware State Police and the U.S. Secret Service separately arrived at StarQuest and requested the paperwork that Hunter had completed during the gun deal. Palimere informed the FBI that the dates and events were based on text messages he had shared with them. An agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was present.
"They indicated that the firearm was involved in a case and that they wished to accelerate the follow-up process and gain access to Form 4473," the FBI document summarising Palimere's interview states. "Both agencies posed the same questions and appeared to be unaware of each other's investigations."
Palimere expressed skepticism regarding the veracity of the Secret Service's purported request, stating that he had consulted with ATF special agent Jason Reisch for guidance on the best course of action.
According to the FBI document, Reisch advised Palimere not to provide the original Form 4473 to any third party and only to do so if he felt obliged to do so.
A representative of the Secret Service informed The Post that the agency is unable to corroborate the information provided by Palimere to the FBI during their recent encounter.
Guglielmi was keen to clarify that the allegations in question had not been made by federal agents. The allegations were made by personnel at a gun shop and documented in the relevant files.
"Members of the Biden family were not under the protection of the Secret Service at the time, and no evidence has been uncovered to suggest that Secret Service personnel were present," he reiterated.
Palimere subsequently provided the firearm purchase documentation to the ATF.
