“he illegally used campaign donations to cover up his affair with a staffer — with whom he later had a child”
I loathe Edwards as much as the next guy, still I don’t understand why this was illegal. Firstly, it was his money, freely given to him. He ought to be able to do with it as he pleases. Nevermind, though. I understand the justice in tying campaign donations to campaigns, even if in a perfect world it’d be donor beware.
More importantly, whence this notion that covering up the affair wasn’t campaign related? Very little decides whether or not you win an election than scandal. I should dang well think Edward’s donors prayed his filandering wouldn’t come to light.
I believe it was illegal because he accepted public money for his campaign. Since all money is fungable, any campaign money he received from donors or the government(you and I) must be spent on the campaign only.