Thaindian News

WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) — The United States Justice Department authorized prosecutors to bring criminal charges against Senator John Edwards in relation to a two year investigation by the government, CNN reported on Wednesday.

Edwards, former presidential candidate, could avoid an indictment if his attorneys reach a plea deal with prosecutors. However, the U.S. Senator does not want to plead guilty to any offense in order to not to lose his law license.

The former North Carolina senator was investigated in regards to money funneled to a woman from donors to his 2008 political campaign after Edwards fathered a son with her.

Rielle Hunter worked as a videographer for Edwards’ campaign and the two had an extra-marital affair. The grand jury is determining if the payments should be considered un-reported campaign donations.

Over a million dollars were allegedly given to Edwards’ mistress and to another aide who acted as the child’s father. In addition, former Edwards staffer Andrew Young wrote a book, named “The Politician,” in which he disclosed that heiress Rachel “Bunny” Mellon gave Edwards a $700,000 gift to cover-up the affair.

Mellon’s attorneys said that she did not know what the money was for and believed she was only helping a friend. The payments were made in an attempt to avoid problems for the then ongoing 2008 campaign.

The former Senator said in a broadcasted interview in 2008 that he never paid any sum to Hunter and the other people involved in the scandal as well as never asking someone to do it for him.