BOONEVILLE, MISSISSIPPI — The wealthy and influential Langston family of Booneville, Mississippi, has a long and complex history with the Biden family, dating back decades. The family’s ties to President Joe Biden date back to the 1970s, when former Senator Joe Biden first served alongside Democratic colleagues from the state, including the legendary “Godfather of Mississippi,” Senator James Eastland.
Joey Langston, the patriarch of the family, built his business empire by representing big clients, including the tobacco companies, and became one of the richest and most-connected men in town. Langston’s son, Keaton, followed in his father’s footsteps, starting a local pharmacy venture and establishing a gated property, and continued the family tradition of doing business with President Biden’s brother, James.
In 2023, Keaton Langston pleaded guilty to $50 million worth of fraud and was accused of conspiring with an alleged mafia boss to rip off government healthcare programs. The case came to light in February of that year, and despite Langston’s guilty plea, he is still fighting for his freedom.
During his negotiations with federal investigators, Langston claimed on an audio recording that his father had instructed him to “cover” for Joe Biden and that he felt pressured to keep quiet to avoid upsetting the president. Langston also claimed to have received assurances from Senator Doug Jones, a top Biden adviser, that a pardon was guaranteed.
Meanwhile, Langston’s attorneys have denied any wrongdoing on their part, and some have suggested that the pleas were part of a longer-term strategy to secure favorable treatment from the government.
As President Biden’s second term comes to a close, the question on everyone’s mind is whether Langston will receive a pardon before the president leaves office. Langston’s lawyers remain tight-lipped about his chances, but some pundits believe that his ties to the Biden family could grant him special treatment.
Time will tell whether Langston’s future is sealed with a pardon or if justice will be served. Either way, the Langstons’ story serves as a cautionary tale of the corrupting influence of power and the blurred lines between personal and professional interests.