John Edwards To Plead Not Guilty To Criminal Charges Over Rielle Hunter Affair

[deminks]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/03/john-edwards-to-plead-not-guilty-indictment_n_870937.html

John Edwards will plead not guilty, his defense attorney Greg Craig said Friday in a written statement. Edwards "will tell the court he is innocent of all charges, and will plead not guilty," Craig said. "He did not break the law and will mount a vigorous defense."

(snip)

Former campaign staffer Andrew Young, who initially claimed paternity of Hunter's child, has said Edwards was aware of the private financial support that helped keep the mistress satisfied and secluded. Prosecutors believe the private gifts should have been considered campaign contributions since they aided his candidacy.

(snip)

With one of Edwards' former campaign rivals now sitting in the White House, the case includes a measure of political intrigue. Greg Craig, who was previously White House counsel for President Barack Obama, emerged as a leading figure on Edwards' legal team just as Obama's Justice Department was reviewing the case that prosecutors in North Carolina had prepared.

Meanwhile, North Carolina's two senators had asked to let Republican-appointed U.S. attorney George Holding stay on the job until he had finished the Edwards probe.

(end snip)

actual indictment at the link.

So, no one else is indicted, it focuses on the contributions of two of his most loyal backers, and depends to a large extent on the testimony of Andrew Young. I am going to invest in popcorn for this one.

Anyone else love the headline? Criminal charges over affair? No, the criminal charges are over campaign contributions, stuff the thugs want and will get from anyone and in whatever amounts they want. If Edwards' parents had given large gifts, and he were Republican, we would not be here, would we?

[dkf]

1. So the case hinges on proving supporting hunter was campaign contributions?

I dunno.

[ClarkUSA]

2. There's one count of false statement and one of conspiracy because he tried to hide wrongdoing.

There are also four counts of illegal campaign contributions. Did Ms. Bunny Money, Fred Baron (now deceased), and/or his aides admit wrongdoing? Most likely someone or all of them did.

Since we are not privy to what the grand jury saw and heard as evidence, I think it's a waste of time to claim Edwards is innocent. He is a known liar of massive and sociopathic proportions. Not sure why anyone would defend him, but I sure think he's a scumbag.

I do feel for his poor kids and Elizabeth's family, though.