This morning 'The Associated Press' reported that a federal grand jury, in Raleigh, NC, who has been investigating the case for two years, has indicted former senator John Edwards who has been a two time presidential candidate. The charges being that he violated campaign finance law during the 2008 presidential election campaign by receiving contributions in excess of federal limits, which were not properly reported. Additionally, misusing the funds for the purpose of hiding his extramarital affair in order to save his candidacy. The case includes six counts, including conspiracy, four counts of illegal campaign contributions and one count of false statements. His lawyers have stated that he has refused to "bargain" a plea agreement and plans to fight the charges. It has been reported that Mr. Edwards has supposedly stated and maintains, that he used the money
to hide the affair, but for private purposes--- to conceal it from his wife. If the "ex-poster child" of the Democratic Party pleads guilty or loses in court he could be stripped of his law license, and could face five years in prison, and fines as high as $250,000 per count.
In 2008 Edwards admitted to the affair with Rielle Hunter, his campaign videographer. In 2010 he admitted to being the father of Hunter's child. Stories and rumors are swirling that he is trying to get Ms. Hunter to cover for him and even to marry him. A marital relationship would protect him from her statements in a court of law.
"Trial or not, John Edwards is the Charlie Sheen of American politics - great hair and no chance for rehabilitation," Democratic consultant Jack Quinn told the AP.
Guilty? Innocent? Can a tarnished image be repaired? Do you care? Should marital affairs matter in politics when they run rampant through the country? Should marriage after the fact protect you from the laws if broken before the marriage?
Editor's Note:
Post of similar interest by DRL's The Good Girl
The Ugly Truth
Your thoughts............
