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Edwards Admits Feds Probing Hush Cash

Candidate may have paid off mistress with campaign donations

By Drew Nelles, Newser Staff

Posted May 3, 2009 3:15 PM CDT

(Newser) – John Edwards is being investigated by feds looking to see if he illegally used 2008 campaign funds to hush up mistress Rielle Hunter, the former candidate told the Charlotte Observer, confirming an earlier report in the Edwards-happy National Enquirer. Hunter, hired to film the candidate, was paid $114,000 by an Edwards-affiliated political action committee. “We appreciate the diligence and professionalism of those involved and look forward to a conclusion,” Edwards said in a statement.

Candidates cannot legally use donations for personal expenses that would not have arisen off the campaign trail. But loopholes allow organizations to unofficially fund pre-campaign activities, and one cash-flush group paid for Edwards’ travels, which Hunter filmed. “John Edwards is a leader in misleading the public,” one watchdog says. And his donors are angry: “If they were stealing money to cover up John's personal failings, it is profoundly disappointing,” one complains.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

In this Dec. 27, 2006 photo provided by the National Enquirer, former US Sen. John Edwards is shown with videographer Rielle Hunter in the 9th Ward of New Orleans, La. (AP Photo/The National Enquirer)

Former presidential candidate John Edwards delivers a speech entitled "Beautiful America" to students at Brown University in Providence, R.I. Tuesday, March 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

John Edwards, who has acknowledged a federal inquiry into his campaign funds, said in a statement that he is confident no campaign funds were used improperly. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, file)

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I am confident that no funds from my campaign were used improperly. However, I know that it is the role of government to ensure that this is true. - John Edwards

They play this charade. Refrain from saying they are a candidate, so they don't have to follow the rules. They're gaming the system. - Paul Ryan of the Campaign Legal Center on PACs bending campaign rules

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 5 comments

riffran

May 4, 2009 8:49 AM CDT

party affiliation is not the real issue accountability is....he had the ability to abuse his political station and did it...Any corrupt politician needs the same treatment...regardless of what party they side with......but until he is actually charged, and convicted...."presumed innocent"..

Mad

May 4, 2009 6:08 AM CDT

How is he getting a pass? You're reading about him, ain'tcha? He's being investigated, unlike Bush or Cheney or Rumsfeld, or Gonzales, or Rice, or Rove, ain't he? So WTF do you mean "Doesn't he get a pass?"

Newser001

May 4, 2009 3:20 AM CDT

Oy! MENSCH!!!

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Charlotte Observer (Source Grid »)

The Enquirer story that started it all
National Enquirer

And the National Enquirer story gloating that it was right
National Enquirer

Elizabeth Edwards misled the public, too
Huffington Post

Politics • Crime & Courts

John Edwards • campaign finance • federal investigation • affair • political action committees • Rielle Hunter • campaign donors

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Edwards Admits Feds Probing Hush Cash