John Edwards Indicted In Affair Cover-Up
Posted on Jun 03, 2011 @ 06:06AM
By Neil Woulfe
Radar News Director
& Adam S. Levy
Radar Staff Writer
Disgraced politician John Edwards has been indicted after a two-year federal investigation into whether he illegally used campaign contributions to cover up an extra-marital affair while he was running for the White House.
A grand jury in the Middle District of North Carolina handed up the indictment Friday morning after talks to negotiate a plea deal fell through.
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The six counts Edwards was indicted on include: four counts of illegal campaign contributions, one count of conspiracy and one count of false statements.
Edwards is expected to face a judge in a Raleigh, North Carolina courtroom on Friday afternoon to hear the charges against him in connection with accusations he used hundreds of thousands of dollars in unreported political funds to mask his affair with videographer Rielle Hunter three years ago.
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Edwards' lawyers claim their client did not violate the law, as the donations prosecutors say he funneled inappropriately were gifts from friends, not political contributions that should have been reported.
Insiders told North Carolina's WTVD-TV that the politician's affair with Hunter began early in 2006, and later that year, she was given a job as a videographer for Edwards 2008 campaign.
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The next year, Edwards got Hunter pregnant, and his estranged aide Andrew Young told the station he and his wife were given money from campaign donors -- wealthy widow Bunny Mellon and Edwards' late associate Fred Baron -- to help conceal the situation.
Democratic consultant Jack Quinn told that AP that whatever happens, the charges likely signify the end of the road for a one-time political powerhouse.
"John Edwards is the Charlie Sheen of American politics," Quinn said. "Great hair and no chance for rehabilitation."
Don't forget, it was the National Enquirer, headed by David Perel, who exposed the politician's shenanigans to the shock of the world.
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In January 2010, Edward finally admitted publicly that he'd fathered the baby girl, Frances Quinn Hunter, out-of-wedlock with his former mistress, Hunter.
Shortly after his admission, John and his late wife Elizabeth legally separated. She died last December, after a brave and valiant 6-year battle against breast cancer.
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The Daily Juice
The majority of the money was sent as a gift of chocolates with a check in the bottom of the box, presumably by the wealthy widow Mellon. That's why they're calling in a gift. You never know what you'll find in a box of chocolates.
Posted Fri, 06/03/2011 - 1:25pm
I used to like this turd and even wanted him to run and win, but the more his true colors started to come out the less and less I liked him. Cheating on his dying wife is just unforgivable. I hope he truly goes to jail.
Posted Fri, 06/03/2011 - 1:24pm
HAHAHAHA! That POS wanted to be VP? hahahahah! He's almost as dirty as Clinton. Thank God we were spared from Edwards dirty zipper. Hell awaits.
Posted Fri, 06/03/2011 - 1:13pm
John your fate is called KARMA you lied, cheated, committed adultery, stole money from friends who were supporting your campaign treated your dying wife horribly. You deserve that crazy psycho Rielle I hope she was worth going 2 heII 4
Posted Fri, 06/03/2011 - 12:26pm
I feel sorry for his children. The thought of your father going to jail and wondering what happens to us now that mom is gone must be very stressful for them. This guy deserves everything that happens to him for what he did to his wife.
Posted Fri, 06/03/2011 - 12:12pm
It's too bad his wife couldn't see him pay for what he has done.
Posted Fri, 06/03/2011 - 12:11pm
She's watching from heaven and laughing her a$$ off. Ultimately the kids are the victims. Sorry to say but this behavior is typical of southern men - lie and cheat it's genetic
Posted Fri, 06/03/2011 - 1:11pm
"John Edwards is the Charlie Sheen of American politics," Quinn said. "Great hair and no chance for rehabilitation." LOLOLOLOLOL!
Posted Fri, 06/03/2011 - 11:49am
Plea deal? R U all forgetting he was LYING to all of us while pushing himself in the highest office in America? Doncha get it? HE SHOULD NEVER GET A PLEA DEAL!
Posted Fri, 06/03/2011 - 11:17am
Good! If he takes a plea, I really hope they revoke his law license. He will have nothing. He won't even be able to work. What she worth all this John? Too bad they won't do the same thing to that whack job in SC who used tax $ for his affair
Posted Fri, 06/03/2011 - 10:54am