Former senator John Edwards was indicted on Friday by a federal grand jury that has been investigating allegations that the 2008 presidential candidate funneled campaign money to support his mistress Rielle Hunter.
The politician was charged with conspiracy, issuing false statements and violating campaign contribution laws. If convicted on all six counts, he would face up to 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1.5 million.
Edwards was released on his own recognizance, but was ordered to surrender his passport and remain in the lower 48 states. He was also ordered to take a urine test before leaving.
He told reporters: “There’s no question that I’ve done wrong. But I did not break the law and I never, ever thought I was breaking the law.”
The government has been building a case that Edwards violated campaign finance laws. Two of Edwards long time political backers, philanthropist Rachel ‘Bunny’ Mellon of Virginia and attorney Fred Baron, provided more than $1 million to Rielle Hunter.
It is widely believed that the transactions were carried out in this manner for the express purpose of keeping Elizabeth Edwards from finding out about her husband’s mistress and their love child Frances – see mother and daughter’s GQ photo shoot.
Elizabeth lost her hard fought battle with cancer in December 2010. The last public photos of the Edwards family were captured at her funeral.
John Edwards has long claimed that the funds that were given to Hunter should not be considered political contributions because he had no knowledge that his mistress received the generous gifts from his friends with very deep pockets.
Check out an Edwards family photo plus a new CNN political report below:
Photos: WENN