Edwards finance chair provided cash to Edwards mistress

[mathwhiz]

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/08/1257224.aspx

Fred Baron, John Edwards' campaign finance chairman and longtime confidante, told NBC News in telephone interviews, he has been providing financial assistance to both Andrew Young and Rielle Hunter.

Young is the married Edwards campaign staffer who has admitted to fathering Hunter's child. Earlier today, Edwards admitted to also having an affair with Hunter.

Baron said he was personally upset with how the National Enquirer was harassing the two and helped them relocate out of North Carolina. He has continued to help them with their overhead.

Baron insisted Edwards never knew what Baron did for Young and Hunter; he believes Edwards didn't even have an inkling that Baron was doing this.

He added that he provided Hunter and Young "with the means" to move away from North Carolina and the tabs' prying eyes.

"My role is to be supportive of these two families," he said.

Hush money? "Of course it wasn't hush money!"

In a separate e-mail response he said he used no campaign funds for the relocation.

"Personal funds only -- no campaign funds," he writes.

[JeanGrey]

1. Oh No!!! It wasn't "hush" money. He just plucked somebody

off the streets he felt sorry for.

I wish they'd stop insulting my intelligence.

[LisaL]

2. He paid Edwards' mistress and Andrew Young his own money,

and Edwards knew nothing about it? Why was he doing it? Out of the kidness of his heart?