Edwards Charges Likely Today

The two-year federal investigation into John Edwards has reached a critical point and criminal charges against him are expected to be filed today. Edwards' attorney has traveled to North Carolina to meet with prosecutors, and the former Democratic presidential candidate is likely to either be indicted or reach a plea agreement over his alleged use of campaign funds to cover up an extramarital affair during the 2008 campaign, sources tell CNN.

If Edwards pleads guilty to a felony involving campaign funds, he could be stripped of his license to practice law, ending his hopes of reviving his legal career. Even if Edwards won a court battle against charges, more sordid revelations are likely to emerge to further tarnish his reputation, AP notes. "Trial or not, John Edwards is the Charlie Sheen of American politics—great hair and no chance for rehabilitation," quipped a Democratic consultant. (More Rielle Hunter stories.)