John Edwards' Defense Lawyers to Start Making Their Case - East Idaho News
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John Edwards’ Defense Lawyers to Start Making Their Case

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Getty 041212 JohnEdwards?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1336998435951Sara D. Davis/Getty Images(GREENSBORO, N.C.) — John Edwards’ defense team will begin making their case in a North Carolina courtroom on Monday, trying to prove that the former presidential candidate did not break any campaign finance laws when he accepted money to cover up an affair.

Edwards is accused of using nearly $1 million from wealthy donors to hide his affair with mistress Rielle Hunter and to keep secret that she gave birth to his baby during his bid for the 2008 presidential nomination.

Edwards, however, contends the donations were personal gifts meant to be used at his discretion, including keeping the affair a secret from his wife Elizabeth, who was dying of cancer.

The prosecution wrapped its case on Thursday after 14 days of testimony.

Edwards is charged with six counts of violating the federal campaign finance law, and could be sentenced to a maximum of 30 years in prison and more than $1 million in fines if convicted.

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