John Edwards

Former presidential candidate U.S. Senator John Edwards goes on trial Monday on charges he used illegal campaign contributions to cover up an affair.

Rielle Hunter became pregnant during his failed bid for the 2008 Democratic nomination and Edwards, with the help of aide Andrew Young, concealed it.

John Edwards is accused of accepting more than $900,000 in campaign funds from two wealthy donors, with the hope of burying the love child scandal.

The politician did this knowing the exposure of his extramarital affair "would destroy his presidential campaign," prosecutors said in a pre-trial brief.

The candidate at the time was a married father of three whose wife, Elizabeth Edwards, had terminal breast cancer. She passed away in December 2010.

Jurors will hear opening statements at the federal courthouse in Greensboro, N.C., this morning. Edwards, 58, is accused of conspiring to solicit money.

By receiving more than the $2,300 allowed from any one donor, and failing to report the payments as contributions, prosecutors say he broke the law.

He faces six felony counts, each carrying a sentence of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Edwards insists he broke no laws throughout.

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The scandal that derailed John Edwards' career, shattered his image as a devoted family man and led to his indictment is now set to play out in federal court.

The former Democratic presidential candidate is fighting allegations that he violated federal campaign finance laws during his 2008 bid for the White House.

Prosecutors contend he secretly obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars from two wealthy supporters to hide his affair and love child with Rielle Hunter.

John Edwards Trial Begins

Hunter, was a campaign videographer who gave birth to their daughter, Frances Quinn, at a time when Edwards’ wife, Elizabeth, was battling breast cancer.

Elizabeth Edwards passed away in late 2010.

The alleged donors were Fred Baron, a wealthy Texas lawyer who is no longer alive, and Rachel "Bunny" Mellon, a wealthy 101-year-old benefactor.

They supposedly provided more than $900,000 in living expenses for Rielle Hunter, who is not expected to testify at the trial of the ex-U.S. Senator.

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The sex tape featuring John Edwards and Rielle Hunter going at it will be destroyed as part of a settlement between Hunter and ex-Edwards aide Andrew Young.

The imminent destruction of sex tapes featuring Edwards and Hunter was mandated as per the agreement between Rielle, Edwards' ex-plaything, and Young.

Orange County, N.C., Superior Court Judge Carl Fox on Thursday signed the settlement agreement between Andrew Young, his wife and Rielle Hunter.

Hunter sued the pair, who ended up with the John Edwards sex tape somehow.

Hunter accused Andrew and Cheri Young of invasion of privacy, and sought to reclaim "materials" she said belong to her, including personal photos and the sex tape.

While the settlement addresses the transfer and destruction of videos, photos and other documents, no money was awarded and the Youngs admit no liability.

The court clerk has the honor of physically destroying the sex tape.

Meanwhile, the Youngs must make a good-faith effort to ensure that the copy of the video that they gave to the U.S. government is likewise destroyed.

The former aide will get back his family videos and pics, though they can't monetize any including Rielle Hunter or her daughter, Edwards' love child.

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John Edwards has a life-threatening heart condition, sources confirm to CNN.

The National Enquirer reported New Year's Day that Edwards had sought to delay his trial for criminal corruption, scheduled to begin later this month, due to the condition.

Looks like that was true. Lawyers and a federal judge met in a North Carolina courtroom Friday for a status hearing regarding the pending trial of the former U.S. senator.

Edwards appeared in person at Friday's hearing. The motion for a delay was made under seal, but some details were publicly revealed by the judge in the open hearing.

The criminal trial has been delayed until at least March 26, according to reports.

Judge Catherine Eagles said she's contacted Edwards' cardiologist, who recommended a postponement, saying John is scheduled to undergo surgery next month.

Edwards is charged with six felony and misdemeanor counts related to donations to and payments he allegedly made from his failed 2008 presidential campaign.

He's accused of conspiracy, issuing false statements and violating campaign contribution laws by funneling money to now-infamous mistress Rielle Hunter.

He denies wrongdoing. In a criminal sense. Even he says he's a jerk.

“HELP ME, I’M DYING!” - John Edwards, according to the National Enquirer

Ever since the aforementioned gossip publication correctly reported the former politician's career-ending affair with Rielle Hunter and subsequent love child scandal, they have continued to pursue its aftermath, with questionable accuracy.

The latest angle: Edwards wants to postpone his upcoming federal trial on corruption charges because he had a heart attack and feels he might die!

“John fell apart in front of a pal after returning from a jog and was afraid he’d die,” says a close source. “His heart began pounding and he was having la­bored breathing."

"He had many symptoms of a major heart attack and fears he will die.”

The former presidential candidate really did file to postpone his January 30 trial because of an “unex­pectedly encountered a medical issue” that will make it “extraordinarily difficult,” allegedly for him to appear in court for his trial.

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Disgraced politician John Edwards has asked his mistress Rielle Hunter to move into his North Carolina home, The National Enquirer has hilariously reported.

“Rielle is considering the move,” a source close to her allegedly claims.

John, whose wife Elizabeth Edwards died nearly a year ago, lives with his children Emma Claire, 13, and Jack, 11. Rielle welcomed his love child in late 2007.

“She wants what’s best for their daughter Quinn and John’s other young children. If all of them under one roof will help the kids, it’s something Rielle will do.”

How altruistic. Rielle Hunter is nothing if not selfless.

His legal woes may also influence her: “Rielle knows the trial will be tough and doesn’t want the kids to suffer, so she’s genuinely considering his offer.”

The former U.S. Senator, twice a serious presidential candidate and once the Democratic VP nominee, conducted an illicit affair with her during his second bid for the White House, and has been indicted for his alleged use of campaign funds to cover up the scandal.

Rielle dumped John Edwards just a few days before he was indicted, even as he begged her to marry him, according to a probably bogus Enquirer report.

They got the love child part right, though ...

A judge has set the trial of former presidential candidate John Edwards to begin January 30, a week earlier than when prosecutors and defense lawyers sought.

In federal court, U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles signed an order Tuesday setting the schedule for Edwards' trial on charges of campaign finance violations.

Edwards was indicted following an exhaustive investigation in June.

John Edwards is accused of asking two wealthy campaign donors to provide nearly $1 million in secret payments used to hide pregnant mistress Rielle Hunter.

Making matters even worse is the fact that he was a serious candidate for the Democratic Party's nomination for the White House in 2007 and early 2008.

His wife, the late Elizabeth Edwards, was also battling cancer at the time.

Edwards says he knew nothing of the checks, cash and private jets used to fly Rielle Hunter across the country and put her up in luxury homes and hotels.

We are not the judge or jury in the case, and every American has the constitutional right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence ... but come ON.

Former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate John Edwards was ordered to repay the treasury $2.3 million, the Federal Election Commission ruled.

Edwards was indicted last month for breaking campaign finance laws by using his political war chest to cover up a tawdry affair with Rielle Hunter.

John fathered a love child with Rielle while his wife, Elizabeth, who is now deceased, was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and lied about it a lot.

Federal auditors said all but approximately $200,000 of $13 million he received for his 2008 presidential bid came from federal matching funds.

Though lawyers for Edwards said the campaign owes no money, auditors accused the campaign of understating cash and overstating expenses.

The repayment need not come out of John Edwards’ own pocket, and records show he has $2.6 million remaining in his campaign account.

However, Thursday's decision does mean that he will no longer have those leftover campaign funds available to help with his mounting legal bills.

Severel friends of the disgraced, indicted Edwards have privately expressed concern about the former trial lawyer's personal finances, too.

Just weeks before he was indicted for alleged federal campaign law violations, the disgraced John Edwards reportedly asked for millions from a former donor.

In the past, reclusive heiress Rachel "Bunny" Mellon had given Edwards major financial support - support now central to the criminal case against him.

Edwards reportedly hit her up again this spring with a request for "millions of dollars," ABC reports, though we don't know why he asked or if she obliged.

A lawyer for Mellon, who is expected to a key witness at John Edwards' criminal trial, declined to comment, as did a member of Edwards' legal team.

The disclosure comes weeks after Edwards was indicted on charges he broke myriad campaign finance laws to cover up an affair with Rielle Hunter.

A former staffer to his presidential bid, Hunter infamously gave birth to his love child, which was exposed after Edwards lost the 2008 primary.

The indictment claims Bunny Mellon allegedly gave Edwards at least $725,000, which later went toward hiding the pregnant Rielle Hunter.

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Once a politician, always a politician. Look at that handsome, smiling face.

Going by these images, you'd never expect that former U.S. Senator John Edwards knocked up mistress Rielle Hunter while his wife was terminally ill, lied about it repeatedly, then allegedly covered it up with campaign funds.

But, here we are.

Nice to see John Edwards is still having fun.

Edwards pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and campaign law violations. These mug shots were obtained by CNN. Goooo Freedom of Information Act!

The plea came after a grand jury indicted him on six counts, including conspiracy, issuing false statements and violating campaign finance laws.

The grand jury had been investigating whether money given to support Rielle Hunter by benefactors of Edwards' 2008 run for the presidency.

Their conclusion was that there was enough evidence to charge Edwards, who insists that despite his personal failings, he did not break the law.

A plea deal between Edwards and the U.S. Justice Department fell apart over the the DOJ's requirement that Edwards go to jail. He declined.

Guess he'll roll the dice at trial, where his chances of beating the rap are iffy. In the court of opinion, however, he's long since been convicted.