Hunter Biden has begun a new position as Director of Development at BASTA Universal, a sister organization of BASTA, which advocates for tenant rights and homelessness prevention in Southern Los Angeles. The group emphasizes representing undocumented immigrants and low-income tenants, and Hunter frames the role as service to vulnerable communities amid his own financial and legal challenges.
Hunter Biden, recently pardoned by President Biden in December 2024 after a gun charge conviction, says he joined BASTA Universal because he saw an opportunity to help people “getting the s— beat out of them… right here in L.A.”
BASTA Universal, Inc. describes itself as a nonprofit that “assists and educates low‑income tenants in all aspects of tenants’ rights, including defending them in unlawful detainer matters (eviction cases).” Hunter’s title is “director of development,” and BASTA’s Director of Strategy, Daniel Bramzon, said the opportunity arose when Hunter sought to “participate in his community” and that the organization connected him with such a role.
Hunter emphasizes that BASTA is “the only group, at least in Southern California, that represents undocumented [individuals], and so we don’t take any federal money.” The organization serves diverse immigrant communities, such as Salvadoran and Ukrainian families, protecting them from eviction and assisting in homelessness prevention.
The group’s strategy includes demanding jury trials in eviction cases, a right under California’s constitution. BASTA claims to have won more eviction jury trials in Southern California than all other organizations combined.
Multiple outlets note that the timing of this new position aligns with Hunter’s ongoing legal and financial difficulties, including mounting legal fees and unpaid debts. BASTA’s association with Hunter’s attorney, Bryan Sullivan, who also co‑founded BASTA and serves as its CFO, raises questions, but officials say the hiring was based on his networking skills, intelligence, and genuine interest in helping the population the group serves.
