John Edwards, Rielle Hunter Investigation | 05/04/2009 9:10 am

Did John Edwards Misuse Campaign Funds on Rielle Hunter?

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

A federal probe has been launched to look into how John Edwards spent his campaign funds on a certain employee: Rielle Hunter.

Hunter, the admitted mistress of the former Democratic presidential hopeful, was paid more than $100,000 by Edwards’ public action committee for video filmed during the months leading up to his 2008 presidential campaign. Hunter’s firm was also paid an additional $14,086.50 on April 1, 2007 for "furniture" when the PAC only had $7,932.95 in cash on hand. Another suspicious act was from Edwards’ late national finance chairman, Fred Baron, who reportedly paid Hunter to resettle in California. The investigation will make sure Edwards’ campaign funds were not given to the mistress as hush money.

Since admitting to the affair amid a string of stories by the National Enquirer, Edwards has shielded himself from the public eye. His terminally ill wife Elizabeth’s new memoir, Resilience, comes out May 12 and talks about the affair.

22 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

If he did he won’t be the first I am sure or the last you can bet on that.If she received money she should have to pay it back. She is not innocent nor is he.

By S G on 05/04/2009 9:26 am

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I disagree with only thing that you said. I think HE should have to pay it back. It came out of his campaign funds, so his personal accounts should be used to replenish the coffers.

Of course, if he does that, then he will go to jail, since it is illegal to used campaign funds for personal use….. oh, what a tangled web we weave….

By nanchan u on 05/04/2009 9:30 am

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I agree…unless he told her in no uncertain terms that he was giving her money illegally, he should have to repay the money.

By Rachel F on 05/04/2009 9:52 am

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John will have to pay for his mistakes, in every sense of the phrase.

By Green Tears on 05/04/2009 10:21 am

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John Edwards gave her the money and he should pay it back. Here is a man who has destroyed many lives all in the name of feeding his ego.

You are are done John, politically and personally. Was it worth it?

By deber B on 05/04/2009 10:37 am

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He also stands a good chance of being indicted for political campaign fraud, based on the Federal Election Campaign Act (another one passed and signed by Richard Nixon!!!)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Election_Campaign_Act

IN short:

This act seeks to:

Limit the influence of wealthy individuals and special interest groups on the outcome of federal elections;

Regulate spending in campaigns for federal office; and

Deter abuses by mandating public disclosure of campaign finances.

Abuse of the funds is considered a felony and can result in prison time.

By nanchan u on 05/04/2009 10:49 am

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You’ve got that right, nanchan. He literally ruined his career….self inflicted problems!

By deber B on 05/04/2009 10:52 am

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I’m glad this is being looked into…we have a right to know how campaign money was being used.

By Tee Zee on 05/04/2009 10:02 am

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Did John Edwards Misuse Campaign Funds on Rielle Hunter? Probably. Of course, he is denying it. But, then again, he denied the actual affair too.

By Deena B. on 05/04/2009 10:39 am

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I agree nanchu, Edwards should pay it back plus interest.

By Beth Cornell on 05/04/2009 12:12 pm

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By Albert Cleveland on 05/04/2009 2:08 pm

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Pay the money back John! … The American People will not finance your sordid affair! … What a selfish, insensitive, pathetic Wh—emonger you are!

You should hide your face from the public! … Elizabeth should leave you and your wh—e to rot in Hell!

By L. C. on 05/04/2009 2:10 pm

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Let’s just hope Edwards does the right thing and confesses wrong doing while the probe is just beginning, rather than wait for it’s conclusion at which point he will probably be found guilty.

He lied to the media and nation about the affair until video and pictures substantiated it. He lied about being the father and now it appears he is copping to it. And now the last chapter of this ugly book of deceit, the money…..hopefully he has learned he can’t hide his misdeeds.

By Belinda Joy on 05/04/2009 2:20 pm

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We blog about the wrong John Edwards has done and lord knows it would fill a book but I think an important fact that is being overlooked is how the hundreds of "professional" news print journalists and investigative reporters working for who knows how many television outlets, failed to report on any of this.

They were dragged kicking and screaming by the National Enquirer to this story.

Yet everyone knew about Sarah Palin’s pregnant daughter. In addition to the lies that were promoted by the sick media, "I can see Russia from my house!"

I am just so sick of these so called journalists covering for the Democrats I could just scream.

At least it reassures me that I’m on the right side.

By Martha Vinyard on 05/04/2009 3:56 pm

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Good point, Martha.

The other thing that came to mind when reading your post was… people trash the Enquirer all the time as a "rag". However, their articles have, more often than not, been shown to have more than a seed of truth in them. (mostly because they do extensive research and fact checking before publication, because of past lawsuits and liability claims)

It’s about time that selective reality is shown the mirror of truth… MSMs, take note.

By nanchan u on 05/04/2009 6:18 pm