GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) - A judge said a key prosecution witness in the criminal trial of former presidential candidate John Edwards contacted other witnesses in the case to ask about their planned testimony, a possible violation of federal law.
U.S. District Court Judge Catherine C. Eagles said Monday that former Edwards aide Andrew Young called the three other witnesses in the last two weeks. Eagles ruled that lawyers for Edwards could mention the improper contact to jurors in opening arguments Monday, but barred using the term "witness tampering" or telling the jury that Young had a one-night stand with one of the other witnesses in 2007.
Young claimed paternity of the child Edwards fathered with his mistress in 2007. Young is potentially the government's most important witness as prosecutors seek to prove Edwards knowingly violated campaign finance laws.
Edwards, the former North Carolina senator, two-time presidential candidate and 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee, was indicted last June in federal court on six counts alleging his complicity in a scheme to cover up an extramarital affair and its resulting pregnancy while he was running for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison and more than a million dollars in fines.
Edwards denies violating the law or even knowing about the payments, which his lawyers describe as gifts.
The Edwards campaign did not file the more than $900,000 as campaign contributions, and Baron said before his death in 2008 that he had provided the funds on his own, without telling Edwards. The money was not given to Edwards or Hunter directly, but rather funneled through several different people, including Young.
Prosecutors are expected to argue that Edwards sought and directed a conspiracy to conceal his affair to keep his presidential hopes alive. Edwards denies violating the law or even knowing about the payments, which his lawyers describe as gifts.
The trial is expected to last at least six weeks.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Photo Credit: CBS News
