Edwards indicted, scheduled to appear in Winston-Salem court Friday at 2:30 p.m.

[maddezmom]

Source: NBC

Edwards indicted, scheduled to appear in Winston-Salem court Friday at 2:30 p.m.

ARALEIGH, N.C. --
The Justice Department has accused John Edwards of violating federal election law, adding another stunning chapter to the story of a Raleigh lawyer whose amazing rise nearly put him into the White House, and whose fall proved equally spectacular.

The case of USA v. Johnny Reid Edwards contains six counts, including conspiracy, four counts of illegal campaign contributions and one count of false statements. The indictment was returned in the Middle District of North Carolina.

If convicted, Edwards faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy charge. He faces five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count of accepting and receiving illegal campaign contributions, and a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the charge of concealing the alleged illegal donations.

Edwards is scheduled to appear in federal court in Winston-Salem Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.



Read more: http://www2.nbc17.com/news/2011/jun/02/22/justice-department-indicts-edwards-violating-elect-ar-1087533/

[ClarkUSA]

1. "one count of false statements"

Did Edwards commit perjury as well?

-----

"conspiracy"

That I believe, after reading about his sugar daddy Baron from Texas and the goings-on with his aide.

-----

"four counts of illegal campaign contributions"

Did Baron (now deceased) and Ms. Bunny Money finger him?

-----

Wow. It boggles the mind that:

1. if the Supreme Court had not selected Bush II, then Joe Lieberman would probably be POTUS right now or;

2. if Ken Blackwell had not stolen 2008 for Bush II, then Kerry would be POTUS right now with a disgraced Edwards as VP which would have led to a President Romney in 2012.

-----

I don't give a shit about Edwards but I do feel for his kids, although they are far better off than 99.9999% of any one on Earth financially. It must suck to have a father who's a scumbag.

[leftynyc]

7. I feel for the kids also

First losing their mother and now this.

[karynnj]

8. My variation on your suppositions

Had Gore won in 2000, and if he, through prudent policy secured the airports and planes, there would have been no 911. However, no one would have any idea what could have happened had that happened. In 2000, the tech bubble burst and the economy started to slow down. Gore would have faced a recession. We now know that Bush fueled the economy before 2004, by allowing leverage to go from 1:12 to 1:44! This led to the early stages of the housing bubble.

It is reasonable to think Gore would have taken a more prudent path. A smaller tax cut, mostly to the those who needed it and money invested to secure SS and Medicare. Sounds great now, but we don't know the future. The economy would be slowly recovering from the recession. It is possible that Gore, maybe with Kerry leading it in the Senate would have actually pushed through something to deal with global warming while simultaneously sparking the economy. But, it is likely that Jeffords would have remained a Republican and they would face a Republican controlled Senate. It is very possible that in 2002, the Democrats would have been punished for the bad economy.

By 2004, it might depend on how the economy was doing as to whether Gore would get re-elected. It is possible that the Republicans would have run Romney, campaigning that he could do better on the economy or McCain, but if he were remember, he would be seen more as the McCain of 2000 than 2004 - still a media favorite. (I suspect the media would have continued to call Gore and Leiberman bores.)

Assuming Gore pulled out a re-election, I really do not see Leiberman winning in 2008. Not to mention, he would be seen as the Leiberman of 2000, before most of his party disliked him. In addition, the Republicans would have torn him apart.

As to the other supposition, had Kerry won, it is very likely that Edwards would not have met Rielle and he would not have been running a campaign and possibly misusing funds. He would have won the sympathy of the country as Elizabeth bravely fought her cancer with him by her side. Kerry likely would have found good uses for both Edwards on some domestic issues - somewhat like Obama has used the Bidens. Kerry would have done many things to put us in a better position than we are now - and I think in 4 years he would have had us out of Iraq and Afghanistan. (and blamed for "losing" them by the Republicans.) I think he would have responded faster on the economy, but all the pieces for the disaster would have been in place before he took office. I respect Kerry more than any politician in my lifetime, but I think it likely that even if he did an incredible job and I fully believe he would have done everything he could, there is a very good chance he might not have been re-elected. No one would have known how bad it could have been. That would have left a widowed John Edwards, whose marriage would have been seen as perfect with a sad ending, as a very likely 2012 candidate - whether Kerry won a second term or not.

Oddly, given that he did not put 100% of his effort behind electing JK, there is no politician more impacted by the loss. Kerry, of course, will never be in the list of Presidents, but will be remembered as an outstanding public servant and a very good Senator. Bush would have been the second one term Bush, but he also would have not been seen to be the failure that many saw him due to that second term.

[ClarkUSA]

10. Thanks for your well-thought out alternative scenario.

However, I believe Edwards was an accident waiting to happen. And we don't know if he wouldn't have met Rielle or someone like her (see Bill Clinton). Fate has a way of being stubborn.

Also, I do think Lieberman would have been elected whether or not 9/11 occurred since he would have rode on Gore's coattails (I firmly believe Gore would have been a good president). The gates of AIPAC would have opened and Republicans would have trodden carefully keeping in mind their evangelical base just LOVES Israel for their own fucked-up religiious whacko reasons.

Whatever the outcome, I'm just glad we've got the President we ended up with now. As for Kerry, I wonder if he's still interested in being Secretary of State now that Hillary said she'd be stepping down (probably to huddle with Mark Penn again and plot another "inevitable" run for the presidency in 2016)? He sure is more qualified than Hillary was when she got chosen for the job and he has been doing alot of heavy-lifting behind-the-scenes since 2008. Then again, his voice and wisdom is needed in the Senate, too. Also, I'm sure Theresa would miss him if he was gone all the time.

What do you think?

[VA_Jill]

13. Alternative scenario?

Lieberman? I doubt it. Not once he showed his true colors. I also think Edwards might have gone a very different path had he been VP.

I'm glad we have the president we have now, but it's a crying shame we had to go through what Shrub did to the country before we had the sense to elect him.

[ClarkUSA]

15. Lieberman would never have shown his true colors as Gore's VP.

Philandering Edwards is another story. Just as Bubba found his opportunities in the WH, I believe Edwards would have exploited his. DC is crawling with women like Monica Lewinsky and Rielle Hunter.

<< I'm glad we have the president we have now, but it's a crying shame we had to go through what Shrub did to the country before we had the sense to elect him. >>

I know. One of the biggest reasons I have glad we have this President is that he will choose the next Supreme Court Justice if (cross fingers!) Kennedy has to step down before 2016.

[karynnj]

18. Agree on some of your points

I agree that Edwards clearly had flaws, but as VP he would have been home with Elizabeth and there would have been "less occasions of sin". Not to mention, if he were caught, Kerry would have the option of replacing him - at least for the next term - if not forcing him to resign and nominating a replacement.

I think Gore would certainly try to be a good President, but he was incredibly unliked by the media and as I suggested he would have had a troublesome economy - and unlikely Obama there would be no one to blame. I also think Leiberman was a pathetic candidate as VP and likely would be worse. (Not to mention that would be the 5th Democratic term in a time that was somewhat conservative.

As To Kerry, My best guess is that he really does enjoy his job as Senator - and he does it very very well - as can be seen from his town halls (he's had 5 this year) and how he is helping Patrick on the tornado. I would imagine that if the Democrats keep the Senate, it could be a tough choice. If the Republicans take the Senate, I would imagine he could do more good as Secretary of State. He certainly deserves it, but it is Obama's choice.

As to Hillary, I really believe her that she is not interested in running. She will be 8 years older than she was last time and it clearly took a toll on her then. I hope that she is content with a career that included First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State. The dynamics of having a first spouse running are horrible for the party - and it would be just as bad if it were Michelle some years in the future. It kind of leads to the opponents being essentially forced to raise all the worse parts of the earlier Democratic Presidency. I hope she stays far away from Mark Penn.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Freddie Stubbs]

20. 2. Edwards started his affair with Hunter in 2007, so he had been elected VP, he probably would not

have had his own 2008 Presidential campaign from which to misuse money.

[mopinko]

2. when the hell are they going to indict ensign.

that's what i want to know.

[maddezmom]

3. interesting article I read this am

Could an Edwards indictment be precursor of one for Ensign?
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/may/29/could-edwards-indictment-be-precursor-one-ensign/

[SoapBox]

4. We can ONLY hope!

And...what a crushing disappointment Edwards turned out to be...such a dirtbag.

I simply do not understand why these clowns can't keep "it" in their pants. Dudes, try taking your hand on a date!

...Ensign better get the same.

[maddezmom]

5. was just looking at the timelines and found this

March 8, 2011 -- Ensign announces he will not seek another term in 2012.

March 10, 2011 -- Previously undisclosed email messages turned over to the F.B.I. and Senate ethics investigators provide new evidence about Ensign’s efforts to steer lobbying work to Doug Hampton and could deepen his legal and political troubles, the New York Times reports. Ensign suggested that a Las Vegas development firm hire Hampton after it had sought the senator’s help on several energy projects in 2008, according to e-mail messages and interviews with company executives.

March 24, 2011 -- Doug Hampton is indicted. He is charged with illegally lobbying the senator's staff on behalf of a Las Vegas airline company and an energy company. Federal law prohibits a former senior Senate aide from lobbying the Senate for one year after terminating employment.

April 21, 2011 -- Ensign announces his resignation, effective May 3. Read the text of his resignation letter.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/john-ensign-timeline/

[cyberpj]

27. re: keepin' it in... Ego does that. Add power of any kind for a jackass cocktail. nt

[Lone_Star_Dem]

11. As soon as the Justice Department finishes going over those 1,000 emails is my guess

I read this last week:

The Justice Department, which had cleared Ensign, is now almost certain to reopen its criminal investigation, attorneys close to the case told Reuters.

The unexpected last minute developments in the Ensign case raise serious questions as to why the Justice Department closed its file on the Senator without first obtaining the crucial emails later seen by the Senate.

A senior Justice Department official told Reuters that the decision to publicly say that they were no longer pursuing Ensign displayed bad judgment, harmed the investigation, and will likely leave lingering effects on the Department's reputation in prosecuting public officials.

The Department is already smarting after the dismissal of charges against the late Senator Ted Stevens, a Republican from Alaska, after disclosures of prosecutorial misconduct.

More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/26/us-usa-politics-ensign-idUSTRE74P4N920110526

Frankly, the Justice Department has tread too lightly for far too long when an indictment would be the death of a politicians political career. Hopefully we're about to see a break in that trend.

[harmonicon]

6. I would love to see that bastard go to jail.

Ever since he was in the senate, and especially when he first ran for president, I thought he was a sleaze-ball snake oil salesman, and I wouldn't really be surprised if he's a criminal as well.

[Marrah_G]

9. this news makes my stomach turn

SO much potential to do good because yet another person just couldn't keep their pants on. The real loser in all of this is his kids. It wasn't bad enough for them to just lose their wonderful mother.

[femrap]

16. It all started with the death of their

first son. For some reason, more children was the answer. She had to endure major fertility treatments since she was post-menopausal. Another daughter was born....but I guess, someone wanted a son. So more fertility treatments and a son was born. These fertility treatments could have been a major cause of her breast cancer.

All so sad...I feel for the eldest daughter who know has children to care for instead of enjoying a bit of her young adult life. But who knows, maybe she is fine with it.

Edwards is a real asshole. Funny, he didn't get a son with his mistress either. Karma really hurts when it comes around. He may well commit suicide (a friend of his stated this in an article that I read a few weeks ago.)

These 'pretty boyz' are more trouble than they are worth....sorry if I offend any DU 'pretty boyz.' I really don't think he cared about poor people at all.

[Auntie Bush]

23. I never did think he cared for poor people. It was all an act.

I saw through him from the very beginning! Always thought he was a sleaze and wondered how so many people could be fooled by the son of a mill worker.

[femrap]

25. It took me a while to see the sleaze....

when he announced that he was stepping out of the race, I knew something was wrong. Elizabeth was with him...and was standing feet away. I knew he had hurt her somehow. The body language was screaming.

[hamsterjill]

24. +1

n/t

[Gregorian]

12. HEY, WHERE'S KARL ROVE?

Sorry. Wrong thread.

[DreamSmoker]

14. No Sh--

How about accountability for the bankers who got us into the biggest financial disaster in American History???

[struggle4progress]

19. Link to text of indictment

http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/111562-john-edwards-indictment.html

hattip:
Should John Edwards Have Been Indicted for His Affair Coverup?
A federal grand jury says Edwards conspired to accept illegal campaign donations
By Mallie Jane Kim
Posted: June 3, 2011
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2011/06/03/should-john-edwards-have-been-indicted-for-his-affair-coverup

[struggle4progress]

21. The indictment alleges conspiracy to solicit illegal campaign donations, in excess of

statutory limits, to cover up the donations, and to use the donations to cover an affair with Person B. There are also mentioned Person A (a staffer), Person C (a supporter), and Person D (the Finance Chair)

[MaineDem]

22. The man is such a disappointment

And the children, who have suffered already, will continue to do so. So sad. And infuriating.

[struggle4progress]

26. John Edwards pleads not guilty: 'I did not break the law'

By James Oliphant, Richard A. Serrano and David G. Savage Washington Bureau

June 3, 2011, 12:42 p.m.

"There is no question that I have done wrong," John Edwards said Friday in front of the North Carolina courtroom where he pleaded not guilty to six counts of violating federal campaign laws. "I take full responsibility for having done wrong."

But, Edwards said, he did not violate federal law.

"I will regret for the rest of my life the pain and the harm that I have done," the former Democratic presidential candidate said, "but I did not break the law and I never, ever thought I was breaking the law."

With that, Edwards, along with his oldest daughter, Cate, departed ...

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-edwards-talks-20110603,0,3901207.story

CLICK THE LINK AND READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE

[TomClash]

28. Edwards indicted

Meanwhile, the Bush crime family and its cohorts are free to plunder.

Nice going Eric Holder.