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John Edwards Charged In Felony Indictment

» 71 comments

Former Senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards has been indicted by a federal grand jury in North Carolina, accused of six counts–conspiracy, four counts of illegal campaign contributions, and one count of false statements. The indictment was returned Friday morning–the most dramatic step in a two year investigation into charges Edwards used campaign donations to keep his mistress out of sight during the 2008 presidential campaign.

The New York Times reports an Edwards spokeswoman said she wasn’t aware of the filing and had no immediate comment.

Developing.

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  • TfT

    A better headline would have been:

    ANOTHER CORRUPT DEMOCRAT…..

    but I imagine you only reserve those kinds of headlines for republicans.

    Oh well.

    A two-time democrat presidential candidate, almost the VEEP…..the media overall has given him a pass; even spiking this story when he was running last time.

  • THE REAL ROYAL KING

    If he his convicted, he deserves what comes to him. My heart breaks for his children, however. They seem to be really good kids.

  • THE REAL ROYAL KING

    TfT said:
    A two-time democrat presidential candidate, almost the VEEP…..the media overall has given him a pass;

    You are so incorrect. The story has been covered constantly and aggressively. I think the media did a superb, superb job balancing the necessary respect for the late Ms. Edwards and the children, with the obligation to get the news, the actual news, out. I would hope this might serve as a model for all news organizations covering all public figures and their families.

  • Sidhekitten

    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    You are so incorrect. The story has been covered constantly and aggressively. I think the media did a superb, superb job balancing the necessary respect for the late Ms. Edwards and the children, with the obligation to get the news, the actual news, out. I would hope this might serve as a model for all news organizations covering all public figures and their families.

    You are mostly right, however it to the National Enquirer to break it open, until then the news media squashed the story almost anytime it started to get traction. It’s pretty sad when the N.E. has to break it open.

  • Oregon Conservative

    No felony indictment has ever been more deserved.

  • writer

    Some children get sympathy, others don’t. It depends on the political affiliation of the parents.

  • THE REAL ROYAL KING

    Oregon Conservative said:
    No felony indictment has ever been more deserved.

    Right. Dahmer didn’t deserve to be indicted.

    writer said:
    Some children get sympathy, others don’t. It depends on the political affiliation of the parents.

    Can you detail anything crude, coarse, offensive, illegal or immoral the Edwards’ children have done? If so, please share it.

  • timzank

    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    If he his convicted, he deserves what comes to him. My heart breaks for his children, however. They seem to be really good kids.

    WTF? You their little league coach or something? Jesus I love the way you “attach” yourself to famous people as though you’re family friends.

  • writer

    And King, what horrible sins have Willow and Trig Palin commited? As for Bristol having a child out of wedlock, so does 65% of the black community, according to census figures. Yet we never see you whining about what ‘horrible parents’ they are. Why only single out Bristol, King?

  • timzank

    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    You are so incorrect. The story has been covered constantly and aggressively. I think the media did a superb, superb job balancing the necessary respect for the late Ms. Edwards and the children, with the obligation to get the news, the actual news, out. I would hope this might serve as a model for all news organizations covering all public figures and their families.

    They didn’t cover shit until AFTER his fall from grace. They sat on everything until they couldn’t any longer.

  • tatboy

    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    You are so incorrect. The story has been covered constantly and aggressively. I think the media did a superb, superb job balancing the necessary respect for the late Ms. Edwards and the children, with the obligation to get the news, the actual news, out. I would hope this might serve as a model for all news organizations covering all public figures and their families.

    Thank Gawd the National Enquirer did the MSM’s job by doggedly persuing the story and forced them to stand up and take notice. Kudos for the National Enquirer.

  • THE REAL ROYAL KING

    writer said:
    And King, what horrible sins have Willow and Trig Palin commited? As for Bristol having a child out of wedlock, so does 65% of the black community, according to census figures. Yet we never see you whining about what ‘horrible parents’ they are. Why only single out Bristol, King?

    Willow? You must be kidding!

    Trig? Never said a word about him.

    African Americans? Yes, I know. We all know. The high school chases.

  • timzank

    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    Can you detail anything crude, coarse, offensive, illegal or immoral the Edwards’ children have done? If so, please share it.

    I can’t because I’ve NEVER read anything about them. They’ve never been scrutinized because their father is a liberal and their mother was a dying liberal, that’s an automatic pass. The press could probably find something on them, they could on anybody’s kids.

  • writer

    King, what do actual census figures have to do with ‘high school chases’? Could you ever actually address a question without deflecting?

  • tatboy

    timzank said:
    They didn’t cover shit until AFTER his fall from grace. They sat on everything until they couldn’t any longer.

    And after he pulled enough Clinton support to ruin her campain strategy of stomping the competition early. Imagine if they had done their job in a timely manner?

  • Oregon Conservative

    Writer:

    He doesn’t poke fun at Willow, he pokes fun at Piper. Get it straight man! ;)

    If Todd Palin was in John Edwards’ shoes King would offer no declarations of heart break to Bristol, Track, Piper, Willow or Trig. Know that.

  • THE REAL ROYAL KING

    timzank said:
    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    You are so incorrect. The story has been covered constantly and aggressively. I think the media did a superb, superb job balancing the necessary respect for the late Ms. Edwards and the children, with the obligation to get the news, the actual news, out. I would hope this might serve as a model for all news organizations covering all public figures and their families.

    They didn’t cover shit until AFTER his fall from grace. They sat on everything until they couldn’t any longer.

    tatboy said:
    Thank Gawd the National Enquirer did the MSM’s job by doggedly persuing the story and forced them to stand up and take notice. Kudos for the National Enquirer.

    That is inaccurate. The story was out. That legitimate new organizations don’t source the Enquirer, Breitbart and the lot is good, proper and welcome. Accuracy is far more important in matters than speed is. When well sourced, as this story was, we avoid libeling the individual and unnecessarily hurting the family. That this was so well sourced, checked and cross-checked, makes the coverage credible and decent.

  • writer

    King, we’re waiting. Are all those girls in minority communities having kids out of wedlock the product of horrible parents? You don’t mind blasting Bristol, so spread the wealth. Let ‘em have it.

  • THE REAL ROYAL KING

    writer said:
    King, we’re waiting. Are all those girls in minority communities having kids out of wedlock the product of horrible parents? You don’t mind blasting Bristol, so spread the wealth. Let ‘em have it.

    To be sure, there is a woeful breakdown in parenting in the African American community. It is a matter oft-discussed and oft-written about. By the same token, there are many, many wonderful parenting models in the African American community. Notably, the Robinson’s rearing of Ms. Obama and her brother and the Obama’s rearing of their remarkable children …. But, there are many other examples. The story is not without moments of triumph.

    We should note, topically, that poor parenting is not necessarily related to the public nature of the parents and the children, either, to which witness the Edwards’ children.

  • Jaurez

    This is great news.

  • writer

    Wow. All that run around, and still no comment on why you keep stressing that Palin is a horrible parent, yet rarely if ever feel the same way about all those single parent minority households.

  • Jaurez

    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    That legitimate new[sic] organizations don’t source the Enquirer, Breitbart

    Huh, funny thing the enquirer and breitbart were correct in their reporting. ;)

  • Jaurez

    THE FA ROYAL KING said:
    That legitimate new organizations don’t source the Enquirer, Breitbart

    Huh, funny thing the enquirer and breitbart were correct in their reporting. ;)

  • writer

    Just admit it, King. Anyone who disagrees with your far left politics, you’re going to find any excuse to slam them. Minorities have kids out of wedlock? No comment. Bristol Palin has a kid out of wedlock? The crime of the century!

  • THE REAL ROYAL KING

    Jaurez said:
    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    That legitimate new[sic] organizations don’t source the Enquirer, Breitbart

    Huh, funny thing the enquirer and breitbart were correct in their reporting. ;)

    Even a broken analog clock is correct twice a day.

    Oregon Conservative said:
    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    To be sure, there is a woeful breakdown in parenting in the African American community. It is a matter oft-discussed and oft-written about. By the same token, there are many, many wonderful parenting models in the African American community. Notably, the Robinson’s rearing of Ms. Obama and her brother and the Obama’s rearing of their remarkable children …. But, there are many other examples. The story is not without moments of triumph. We should note, topically, that poor parenting is not necessarily related to the public nature of the parents and the children, either, to which witness the Edwards’ children.

    So says the Fraud.

    I’ll consider the non-responsiveness a compliment.

    writer said:
    Wow. All that run around, and still no comment on why you keep stressing that Palin is a horrible parent, yet rarely if ever feel the same way about all those single parent minority households.

    Perhaps because the answers to this problem have long failed us, and I find no need nor no value in glib recriminations and deflections.

  • tatboy

    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    That is inaccurate. The story was out. That legitimate new organizations don’t source the Enquirer, Breitbart and the lot is good, proper and welcome. Accuracy is far more important in matters than speed is. When well sourced, as this story was, we avoid libeling the individual and unnecessarily hurting the family. That this was so well sourced, checked and cross-checked, makes the coverage credible and decent.

    I have to respectfully disagree. Was the story out… kinda. It was a rumor. I remember Edwards many times being able to get away with “I’m not going to get into that tabloid stuff” or a variation of said quote. And it DID have a chilling effect on the MSM for Edwards to label it a “tabloid” story. It wasn’t picked up fully until the National Enquirer cought him at that hotal tring to see his baby momma. I understand the point your trying to make but I think we’ll just have to repectfully agree to disagree.

  • writer

    I find no need nor no value in glib recriminations and deflections.

    Except when the parents’ politics disagree with yours.

  • THE REAL ROYAL KING

    writer said:
    Just admit it, King. Anyone who disagrees with your far left politics, you’re going to find any excuse to slam them. Minorities have kids out of wedlock? No comment. Bristol Palin has a kid out of wedlock? The crime of the century!

    Not really. The Bush girls certainly had their moments, as all children do, but W and Laura were responsive. The Romneys seem to be fine parents. We can look also to the Eisenhowers, President and Mrs. Kennedy, the Johnsons, the Nixons (odd as it may seem), the Carters, the Clintons as examples of good parents, the Rayguns and the G.H.W. Bushes as not such good parents. I don’t believe good parenting is ideologically-specific, nor do I believe bad parenting to be.

    The underlying issue in poor parenting is most often the degree of self-absorption by the poor parent. And, we have ample fresh evidence of Palin’s self-absorption.

    I suppose what distinguishes that from the unnamed African Americans you wish to ridicule and chastise, as an entire class is that you can’t identify that self-absorption in any of the unnamed individuals. Yes, there is an acute family break-down, but the problem is systemic and the solution must be systematic.

  • cjd ohio 1

    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    You are so incorrect. The story has been covered constantly and aggressively. I think the media did a superb, superb job balancing the necessary respect for the late Ms. Edwards and the children, with the obligation to get the news, the actual news, out. I would hope this might serve as a model for all news organizations covering all public figures and their families.

    the national enquirer is a highly respected source

  • writer

    So if a member of a minority group does the same thing as Bristol, you see Bristol as having done something horrible. If the girl is white, she gets no sympathy from you. If she’s a member of a minority, she does.

  • THE REAL ROYAL KING

    tatboy said:
    I have to respectfully disagree. Was the story out… kinda. It was a rumor. I remember Edwards many times being able to get away with “I’m not going to get into that tabloid stuff” or a variation of said quote. And it DID have a chilling effect on the MSM for Edwards to label it a “tabloid” story. It wasn’t picked up fully until the National Enquirer cought him at that hotal tring to see his baby momma. I understand the point your trying to make but I think we’ll just have to repectfully agree to disagree.

    Reasonable minds can disagree.

    cjd ohio 1 said:
    the national enquirer is a highly respected source

    I trust you’re joking. Can you imagine citing the Enquirer as a source in a thesis or a dissertation? It is a cheap, sleazy tabloid that, on occasion gets a story right.

  • THE REAL ROYAL KING

    So, TTFN. A brief rendezvous with a 737 and a very long, long evening with a 340. A good weekend all!

  • cjd ohio 1

    the media ignore the story for as long as it could

  • writer

    Typical. Try expecting the King to actually explain his bias, and he has to catch a plane.

  • http://activitypit.ning.com/profile/massmurdermedia MASSMURDERMEDIA

    i like how rush cals him “the breck girl”… as i write this he’s racing to the courthouse to avoid the dreaded perp walk…

    when i first saw that smarmy phuck i thought he exuded every bit the air of a love child produced by a televangelist and a used car dealer…

  • Moderate

    Two Weinergates in one week. People have lost all respect for politicians.

  • Big Eddie

    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    So, TTFN. A brief rendezvous with a 737 and a very long, long evening with a 340. A good weekend all!

    If I had to fly to Dallas for an ACLU Super Seniors Shuffleboard event , I’d drink at least 3 40s .

    How effective were Anthony Weinergate’s parents ? John Edwards’ parents ?
    Strom Thurmond’s parents ? ( Classmates of Robert’s in high school) .

  • writer

    I think that word ‘overseas’ was what did it.

  • Colorado_Conservative

    And to think that if Hillary’s crack team of investigators would have found out about Edwards love child, she would have won the Presidency. It was Edwards who stole enough votes away from her to allow Obama to get the nomination!!!
    I will bet big bucks she is laughing her @$$ off underneath her pant suit at this news!!!

  • Big Eddie

    Colorado_Conservative said:
    she is laughing her @$$ off underneath her pant suit at this news!!!

    Please !!

  • Dem4Ever

    The name Fred Baron is going to feature prominently in John Edwards crime. Remember that name.

  • Big Eddie

    Dem4Ever said:
    Fred Baron

    Have a wreck ? Get a check !

    Go back and lie down in the street . Could be whiplash !

    Call Fred Baron .

  • Big Eddie

    Big Eddie said:
    Call Fred Baron .

    Fred not well known across the pond ( overseas ).

  • Big Eddie

    I was hacked .

    This will not become a distraction from my important work .

    For the next 4 days , I’ll be everywhere on TV to point out that I will not talk about this hac.. ,er , prank .

  • Big Eddie

    Oregon Conservative said:
    Hey, as a (grey)hound owner (yes, San Francisco, I said owner!), your comment is an insult to hounds. A most intelligent and beautiful group of canines.

    A thousand apologies from Big Eddie , who deserved censorizationing .

  • Big Eddie

    He is often seen with a toothless , overalled guy wearing a purple shower cap . Answers to Bart Frederick Dawson .

  • Big Eddie

    John Edwards is certainly in a spot of trouble .

    He seems untrustworthy , even Stephensonian , in his approach to ethics .

  • Big Eddie

    Oregon Conservative said:
    Has this site been hacked? Quick, call the Capitol Police or the F.B.I..

    We can handle it privately . Results in 2036 .

    John Edwards is not nice . ( on topic) .

  • Big Eddie

    I’m Al Sharpton’s even more troublemaking cousin Murray , and I’m getting steamed .

  • Just4thefax

    Fact: Where are the liberals defending this one?

  • Jelperman

    Edwards should have tortured some brown people to death -it’s the only way to avoid prosecution.

  • Big Eddie

    Just4thefax said:
    Fact: Where are the liberals defending this one?

    Busy defending Anthony Weinergate . Oh , wait .

  • Big Eddie

    writer said:
    What the heck are the rules now?

    Beats me . ProObamaAgenda and Garth aren’t removed with the awful stuff they say .

    Profanity . Who needs it , but anything else should go or people will move on .

  • writer

    Got cut again, Eddie. It would seem Mediaite is making a determined effort to not have any conservative posters.

  • http://www.mediaite.com/tv/glenn-beck-explains-how-the-unions-are-using-teachers-firefighters-and-co ImNotBlue

    writer said:
    Got cut again, Eddie. It would seem Mediaite is making a determined effort to not have any conservative posters.

    I wonder… does someone being told to “Check yourself,” count as a personal attack?

  • Big Eddie

    There are many liberal Anti-Oregonites .

    Edwards never went on Fox because of their lies .

  • Big Eddie

    They need to do this late at night when the real crazy , nasty whack jobs show up .

  • writer

    Seriously, Mediaite. Could we have a list of rules on what’s worth being censored, so we’ll at least know? Posts that have outright swearing are given a pass, while others that say little more than yes or no are being cut.

  • http://mediaite.com Lizzie Manning

    The rules will be up this afternoon and from now on all conversation about commenting should go there. I’m not trying to silence your voices, but by posing all your questions about commenting on threads for say, John Edwards’ felony indictment, you’re drawing attention away from the issue at hand and lessening the importance of an article that someone worked hard on.

  • writer

    Fair enough. As long as the rules apply to everyone.

  • Big Eddie

    Can we chew gum ? Do we have to sit up straight ? Some are slouchers . I get your point .

    The worst thing about Edwards was the way he denied it was his baby – for two years . I don’t see why he didn’t just spend his own money on this woman . But , he charged his $ 400.00 haircuts to his campaign . So he cheap , or stupid , or both .

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Timothy-Wright/774124882 Timothy Wright

    ME: HUGE LIBERAL.

    ME: Thinks Edwards is the SCUM of the EARTH! What he did to his wife who stood by him is inexcusable!

    The fact that he attempted to run for POTUS with all this going on makes him a bad Democrat and bad politician. I was never in his corner anyway but I didn’t see this coming and I was shocked.

    No sympathy.

  • TfT

    Edwards is about to make a public statement on this. The sad truth is that the media protected him over this story for a long time….kind of like they did for Ahnold (but in that case, I really think no one knew).

    Here comes Johnny….with his daughter by his side (not to be catty, but she sure has put some weight on; or maybe it’s just the cameras). Admits to doing wrong and he regrets the pain and harm he caused…but he did not break the law…nope,not me, I just broke hearts and lives.

    How canhe hold his head up?

  • notsofast

    Yes, Edwards is just another lib “Honorable Gentleman” as the RRK would say.

  • notsofast

    Jelperman said:
    Edwards should have tortured some brown people to death -it’s the only way to avoid prosecution.

    And name who did that, son?

    What ? No one?

    That makes you another lying libby!

  • timzank

    notsofast said:
    And name who did that, son? What ? No one? That makes you another lying libby!

    I’m assuming this will get “pulled” as well notso..my “off topic” response to his “somewhat off topic” comment was…

  • Jaurez

    The rules will be up this afternoon and from now on all conversation about commenting should go there.

    “comments closed” lol

  • http://mediaite.com Lizzie Manning

    Jaurez– My apologies, I inadvertently forgot to open the comments section. It’s open now, feel free to pose any questions you might have. : )

  • felixw

    Let’s thank the New York Times for originally breaking this story with their investigative story. Whoops, I forgot, the New York Times ignored this story, and refused to investigate it.

    Let’s thank MSNBC for originally breaking this story with their investigative story. Whoops, I forgot, MSNBC ignored this story, and refused to investigate it.

    Let’s thank CBS Newss for originally breaking this story with their investigative story. Whoops, I forgot, CBS News ignored this story, and refused to investigate it.

    Let’s thank the CNN for originally breaking this story with their investigative story. Whoops, I forgot, CNN ignored this story, and refused to investigate it.

    Let’s thank the Washington Post for originally breaking this story with their investigative story. Whoops, I forgot, the Washington Post ignored this story, and refused to investigate it.

    Let’s thank NPR for originally breaking this story with their investigative story. Whoops, I forgot, NPR ignored this story, and refused to investigate it.

    In all seriousness, let’s thank the National Enquirer for pursuing a story that could easily have been uncovered by the mainstream media….except that they refuse to assign reporters to look into scandals that involve Democrat politicians. That’s the same reason why the WeinerGate story was broken by Andrew Breitbart and the Monica Lewinsky story was revealed by Matt Drudge.

    On the other hand, Associated Press assigned 11 reporters to fact check every line of Sarah Palin’s memoirs. So clearly investigative reporting still takes place in the mainstream media, but never when a liberal public figure is involved. And then they wonder why people are turning to more honest, impartial sources of news?

  • mediadoubt

    Arrrgh! I supported this guy.

    Politicians need to come with zippers that don’t come down (and/or skirts that don’t go up), even it that means they need to pee into a cathetar.

  • mediadoubt

    mediadoubt said:
    Arrrgh! I supported this guy.

    Politicians need to come with zippers that don’t come down (and/or skirts that don’t go up), even it that means they need to pee into a cathetar.

    Dang. “Catheter.”

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