Partial Verdict Reached In John Edwards Campaign Finance Violations Case
It’s not the act. It’s the coverup. It’s always the coverup - and in John Edwards’ case, it was the use of campaign funds to hide Edwards’ pregnant mistress, Rielle Hunter, from the media, that caught investigators’ eyes. He now awaits a verdict on one of those counts.
A jury on Thursday reached a verdict on one count in the trial of former presidential candidate John Edwards, but was ordered to resume deliberations.
The jury of eight men and four women reached a decision on the ninth day to deliberation on six felony counts against Edwards, 58, related to alleged campaign finance law violations, including conspiracy. If found guilty of all six counts, Edwards could face up to 30 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine. Each individual count carries a maximum sentence of 5 years and up to $250,000.
The charges arise from about $1 million donations to Edwards, a former U.S. senator from North Carolina and the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, from two wealthy donors, Fred Baron and Rachel “Bunny” Mellon, that were used to try and hide Edwards’ pregnant mistress, Rielle Hunter, from the meida.