The story of John Edwards’ operatic rise and freefall moves to North Carolina’s courthouse for opening arguments by lawyers, who say the ex-senator used campaign funds to hide an illegitimate child.
The two-time Democratic presidential had it all – money, marriage to his college sweetheart, and a high-flying political career. So perfect was Edwards’ image that the smooth-talking litigator was once named “Father of the Year” by a charity – before it transpired Edwards actually had five children, not four.
Today Edwards, 59, accompanied by his daughter (see photo), faces six criminal charges, 30 years in prison and $1.5m in fines over an alleged cover-up involving his relationship with videographer Rielle Hunter, hidden for years from the public and his cancer-stricken wife.
“John thinks that the treatment of him is so unflinchingly horrible and that what he did is not so different from what others did – JFK, Clinton, the whole rogues’ gallery,” his friend, attorney Glenn Bergenfield, told the Washington Post.
Edwards is accused of accepting a cash contribution to his 2008 presidential campaign to maintain his image as a model family man.
His lawyers argue the political contributions were simply personal gifts from rich friends to hide the affair from his wife, and that the charges are politically motivated. Rachel “Bunny” Mellon, the 101-year-old widow of banking heir Paul Mellon, was one his two benefactors. At the time, federal law allowed individuals to give a maximum of only $2,300 for a political campaign.
The case relies heavily on testimony from Andrew Young, once a close Edwards aide, who at first declared he fathered baby Quinn to allow Edwards to campaign for president. He later wrote a tell-all book about the affair and elaborate ruse to hide it from the public, which at one point allegedly involved Edwards hiding in a janitor’s closet to avoid reporters. Edwards finally admitted the affair in August 2008 and officially recognised his daughter Quinn in 2010,
Edwards faces one count of conspiracy to violate federal campaign finance laws and lying about expenses, four counts of accepting and receiving illegal campaign contributions from two donors in 2007 and 2008, and one count of hiding those illegal donations from authorities. It is unclear whether Edwards, once considered such a gifted lawyer others listened in on his closing arguments, will testify.
His wife Elizabeth Edwards, who died in 2010, attracted enormous sympathy when it became known she had battled cancer while grappling with her husband’s infidelity.
Edwards’ mistress is expected to take the stand but where her loyalties lie is anyone’s guess – she is on the witness list for both the defence and prosecution.