John Edwards investigation reported

[cali]

Published: Fri, Apr. 03, 2009 02:00AMModified Fri, Apr. 03, 2009 05:48AM

The National Enquirer reported on its Web site that a federal grand jury in Raleigh is investigating whether former Sen. John Edwards violated campaign-finance laws in his bid for president in 2008 by making payments to Rielle Hunter, his admitted mistress.

U.S. Attorney George Holding said Thursday that he "was not going to confirm or deny any investigation" regarding Edwards.

A federal grand jury was convened in Raleigh on Wednesday. Grand jury proceedings are secret.


John Edwards investigation reported

Such grand juries have the power to call and question witnesses and request documents. Prosecutors interview witnesses in front of jurors. At the end of the query, the grand jury has the power to bring charges.

Wade Smith, a prominent Raleigh defense attorney and Edwards mentor, declined to comment on whether he was representing Edwards.

"I'm at a place where I cannot make any comment to confirm or deny," Smith said. "I can't say anything. It's possible, at some later point, I can."

<snip>

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1469531.html

[shadowknows69]

1. What a fucking shame. Why are we men such idiots sometimes?

[ShortnFiery]

2. Not ALL men.

:shrug:

[shadowknows69]

5. Agreed, but a sizeable percentage to be sure.

[Javaman]

21. I think that size increases with the power they hold. nt

[cali]

3. It is a shame.

For Elizabeth's sake, I really wish this wasn't happening.

[onehandle]

4. I wonder about that sometimes.

Then I think about how much I love women and remember why.

I've been stupid for my wife for almost 18 years.

[ShortnFiery]

6. WTF? Men are not more sexually charged than women. IMO many are conditioned by society to

think and behave as if they are to meet and act-out "sex role stereotypes."

That said, even if you believe that men are more sexual, it does not excuse marital infidelity NOR financial malfeasance of campaign funds.

[shadowknows69]

9. I've actually met about as many women cheaters

I'n my life at least I've been cheated on as much as I've cheated on others so I guess maybe there is a karmic balance to it. That being said, when you're trying to be President AND you have a sick wife, you buck the fuck up and be better than the average Joe.

[onehandle]

16. Blah blah blah.

Did I say more?

Did I say anything you said?

No.

[ShortnFiery]

17. There's no need for that. You understand that my intention was only to stand up for both genders.

[grannie4peace]

15. they are ruled by their wang, not their brain

[ShortnFiery]

19. Yes, that's because SOCIETY says that they must. Where does "nature" end and "nurture" begin?

We can't tease out those factors within social science research. But I'm often "in awe" of the women and men who readily adopt the "men are all horny hound dogs" stereotype. Not necessarily true - perhaps a little physiologically but also because MANY have been socialized to behave as such.

[grannie4peace]

23. i'll accept that!

[zazen]

7. WTF??!! investigate ex-candidate's affair and not TORTURE or Siegelman?

I'd venture to guess there are at least 25,000 crimes by elected officials and their appointees committed in the past 15 years that are of greater severity than Edwards' affair and whether he paid his ex-lover for campaign services. Lots of people are paid dollops for crappy, insubstantial work . . . board members, well connected "advisors," etc, etc. Who gives a shit? Sounds like she actually did _some_ work, which is more than I can for several well paid, ex-political university appointees here in Raleigh who are given plum six-figure incomes for leading "leadership" initiatives while secretaries are being laid off.

ARRGHHHHHH! Leave that family alone!!!!!

[ShortnFiery]

8. There's that little FLAW of alleged funneling of campaign monies to his Mistress. Uncool? nt

[shadowknows69]

10. True, very uncool but it does kind of pale in comparison to the criminals going free.

[ShortnFiery]

13. No, you're correct comparatively, but it still is potentially illegal. If we are to be fair we ...

should investigate and prosecute ALL violations. We agree in that regard - IMO, it's "small-teeny tiny" compared to what the Bush Administration did with our country. :(

[cali]

11. if he diverted campaign money to his mistress, that's

a serious offense. And the crimes you mentioned, aren't in the same jurisdiction.

[marmar]

12. Edwards is the candidate I initially supported in the presidential race.....

..... and I still like him a lot.....but I'm really glad he wasn't the eventual nominee.

[shadowknows69]

14. Oh yeah, it would have been all over.

[KharmaTrain]

18. The Perils Of Power And Ego...The Ultimate Aphrodisiac

It's a shame that Senator Edwards let the wrong head do the thinking and now could face criinal charges for his stupidity. I feel for Elizabeth, in specific, who appears to be the biggest victim of his lies and fall.

This is just another power and glory story...another man driven not only by his politics and ideals, but, unfortunately, by a large ego and libido. Who knows how many affairs he had or how this one began, it's an age-old mixture of endorphins and their own fame/invinsibility that leads to a mighty fall. This isn't the first, it isn't the last...and each time it not only destroys the politician, but shatters his/her family and the many who put faith in him.

[Orsino]

20. Good.

I'm disappointed that he donned the mantle of repentance while studiously avoiding any talk of returning the money. That's not change; that's more of the same.

If this is criminal (and it ought to be), prosecute his ass.

Meanwhile, his agenda on poverty is nigh-forgotten.

[rusty fender]

22. It's about time!

He committed outright fraud by declaring for the presidential primary while knowingly having an affair and funneling money to his mistress to keep her quiet. Many scumbags are married to nice women. That doesn't mean that criminal activities shouldn't be prosecuted.

[Liberal813]

24. Where did the money come from?

If you never knew Fred Baron personally, then you may find it difficult to understand the level of compassion and generosity he was capable of. For those who were privileged to work with him, it is highly plausible that he independently provided financial assistance to 2 former campaign workers. Keep in mind that Ms. Hunter, along with Andrew Young and his family, were not celebrities, but private citizens, being harassed by the National Enquirer.

[cali]

25. If he did, I hope the entire thing is quietly dropped.

[cornermouse]

26. I see a trial is no longer necessary for a conviction...

I also see that they're still afraid of Edwards and the possibility that he could return to politics.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cali]

28. ridiculous. no one here is on a jury. everyone is free to speculate-

as we do about just about everything. And I completely doubt that anyone is afraid of Edwards as a political force. He's done for a goodly number of years, regardless of this.

[cornermouse]

29. PAIA.