Edwards’ campaign finance chairman paid mistress

Edwards’ campaign finance chairman paid mistress

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Records introduced today at John Edwards’ corruption trial show his campaign finance chairman paid the candidate’s mistress a $9,000 monthly cash allowance, on top of other living and travel expenses.

Wealthy Texas lawyer Fred Baron is one of two political supporters who combined gave nearly $1 million to help hide Edwards’ pregnant mistress Rielle Hunter as the politician sought the White House in 2008. Evidence introduced at the trial showed Baron, who died in 2008, was making regular deposits into Hunter’s checking account, the sum totaling $74,000.

Money from the wealthy donors was also used for private jets, stays at luxury resorts and a $20,000-a-month California rental mansion.

Edwards’ oldest daughter, Cate, could take the stand as early as this afternoon. Two weeks ago, she dramatically ran out of the courtroom in tears during testimony about her cancer-stricken mother confronting her father about his affair with Hunter.

It’s not clear how her testimony could help her father’s defense.

Edwards has pleaded not guilty to campaign finance violations stemming from the money used to support his mistress. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

His attorneys have said that Edwards did not know about the money from Baron and Mellon — and that even if he did, the cash was not a campaign contribution because it was intended to hide Hunter from Edwards’ wife, not the public.