John Edwards' Lawyer Denies Plea Deal in the Works
Christopher Weber
Correspondent
Posted:
05/21/10
A lawyer for John Edwards has denied a tabloid report that the former presidential candidate is seeking a plea deal with federal prosecutors over questions regarding his use of campaign funds.
The National Enquirer reported this week that Edwards was looking for ways to avoid possible jail time as a grand jury wraps up its investigation into whether finance rules were violated when his political action committee made payments to his former mistress, Rielle Hunter.
The National Enquirer reported this week that Edwards was looking for ways to avoid possible jail time as a grand jury wraps up its investigation into whether finance rules were violated when his political action committee made payments to his former mistress, Rielle Hunter.
"The National Enquirer's assertion that we are in plea discussions is false," attorney Wade Smith told Raleigh's News & Observer Friday.
The Enquirer broke the story of Edwards' extramarital affair with Hunter and his effort to cover it up.
Edwards admitted in January that he fathered a child with Hunter, his campaign videographer, during his 2008 presidential run. The former North Carolina senator had previously denied paternity of Quinn Hunter, now 2 years old.