Posted on 04/03/2009 3:07:57 AM PDT by abb
Published: Apr 03, 2009 02:00 AM Modified: Apr 03, 2009 05:48 AM
John Edwards investigation reported
From Staff Reports
The National Enquirer reported on its Web site that a federal grand jury in Raleigh is investigating whether former Sen. John Edwards violated campaign-finance laws in his bid for president in 2008 by making payments to Rielle Hunter, his admitted mistress.
U.S. Attorney George Holding said Thursday that he "was not going to confirm or deny any investigation" regarding Edwards.
A federal grand jury was convened in Raleigh on Wednesday. Grand jury proceedings are secret.
Such grand juries have the power to call and question witnesses and request documents. Prosecutors interview witnesses in front of jurors. At the end of the query, the grand jury has the power to bring charges.
Wade Smith, a prominent Raleigh defense attorney and Edwards mentor, declined to comment on whether he was representing Edwards.
"I'm at a place where I cannot make any comment to confirm or deny," Smith said. "I can't say anything. It's possible, at some later point, I can."
Edwards got his start as a plaintiffs' attorney as a young associate in the firm headed by Smith. They are longtime friends.
Edwards, a former U.S. senator from North Carolina and twice failed Democratic candidate for president, has fallen hard since last summer. He admitted on national television that he cheated on his wife, Elizabeth, with Hunter, a video producer who was hired to work on his campaign.
Edwards has denied that he is the father of Hunter's daughter, who was born in February 2008. His former aide Andrew Young has claimed to be the father.
The late Fred Baron, former chairman of Edwards' 2004 and 2008 finance committee, said last summer that he paid, without Edwards' knowledge, Young and Hunter to relocate to California after they were hounded by tabloids in the wake of speculation about Edwards' liaison with Hunter.
A new book by Elizabeth Edwards, a breast cancer survivor, is due out in May. It is unclear whether she will address her husband's infidelity in the book, which is titled "Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities."
TV host Oprah Winfrey interviewed Elizabeth Edwards at the couple's Chapel Hill home last week, according to NationalJournal.com. The former senator was on hand for the interview, the publication reported. The program is scheduled to air May 11 and would be the first nationally televised interview by either since last summer.
ping
http://www.nationalenquirer.com/feds_eye_john_edwards_grand_jury_probe_campaign_funds_misuse_rielle_hunter_affair_hush_money/celebrity/66437
FEDS EYE JOHN EDWARDS PROBE
“The late Fred Baron, former chairman of Edwards’ 2004 and 2008 finance committee, said last summer that he paid, without Edwards’ knowledge, Young and Hunter to relocate to California “
Implausible plausible deniability!
“It was the dead guy’s fault! He said so!”
Hmmm. Looks like a whitewash to me.
As far as I know, it was never alleged that he used campaign funds. The allegation is that he coordinated with Baron to fund the mistress OUTSIDE the campaign.
Now, I suppose the feds could be looking at whether that comprised an in kind contribution (it should). But I think it's more likely they'll simply conclude that no "campaign funds" were used, therefore he's innocent.
It is also possible that the Enquirer may not have the details straight. Is this the first news we have had that the Feds are investigating? Or had that been reported before?
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/politics/story/640203.html
Enquirer: Grand jury targets Edwards
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2009/04/shocking-report-john-edwards-investigated-grand-jury-mistress-payments
Shocking Report: John Edwards Investigated by Grand Jury for Mistress Payments
http://www.jossip.com/john-edwards-investigated-by-grand-jury-20090401/
John Edwards Investigated By Grand Jury
http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2009/03/oprah_snags_int.php
Oprah Snags Interview With Elizabeth Edwards
Holder will crush opie because he could possibly be a threat to Dear Leader and THAT can not be allowed.
Oh please.....a YEAR and A HALF LATER????? Why couldn’t they have opened up the investigation when it was discovered???? COVER-UP!
Again, the media completely ignores this story and refuses to report anything about their golden boy presidential candidate.
“The program is scheduled to air May 11”
Ah, just in time for Mother’s day
How touching
Now that I’ve thought about it, I think this “investigation” may have been at Edwards’ request.
Edwards is a narcissist who certainly thinks the media done him wrong. He “deserves” to be back in the limelight. But there’s this cloud hanging over his head.
Thus, at his behest, the Dem guys at Justice agree to open an investigation with a contrived allegation. We all know he did NOT use campaign funds, so he’s guaranteed to be cleared. Once declared “innocent”, he will be able to reclaim his former glory.
Why would Obama help him? I don’t know...but there must be something he can gain from it.
ooooohhh I think you re right! He didn’t use Campaign Funds....he used that FRED guy’s money to see LOVER and sire his baby!
“His former aide Andrew Young has claimed to be the father.”
Only problem is, Andrew is black! Bwahahahahahahahaha.....
Didn’t he think we would find out? Look at the lily white baby.
It’s OK, John. We’re working for YEW!
Edward’s career derailed by his own Johnson. It’s a sweet Irony that the trail lawyer’s tryst ends up where he screwed himself.
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