Witnesses Named in Former Senator Edwards’ Finance Trial
John Edwards’ mistress, his eldest daughter and the campaign aide who helped hide the former presidential candidate’s affair are among those named on the lengthy witness lists filed at the start of Edwards’ campaign finance criminal trial.
Attorneys for the federal government and for the one-term Democratic U.S. senator revealed their potential witnesses after jury selection that kicked off in Greensboro, North Carolina on Thursday.
Edwards, 58, is accused of knowingly violating federal campaign finance laws by receiving more than $900,000 from two wealthy donors in an effort to conceal his extramarital affair while he sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008.
Justice Department attorneys say Edwards, who also ran for president in 2004 before becoming John Kerry’s vice presidential running mate the same year, knew exposure of his pregnant mistress would destroy his public image and doom his campaign.
The former candidate, who faces prison time if convicted, denies any wrongdoing. He says he was unaware of the money used to cover living expenses, medical care and travel for Rielle Hunter, a campaign worker who gave birth to Edwards’ child soon after he suspended his 2008 presidential bid.
Hunter is listed as a possible witness for both sides in the trial, which began on Thursday with 185 people sworn in for consideration as jurors. Jury selection resumes on Monday.