Attorney: New subpoenas in John Edwards campaign finance case; fed probe shows signs of life

Attorney: New subpoenas in Edwards campaign probe

RALEIGH, N.C. — Federal prosecutors have issued a fresh round of subpoenas for a probe into John Edwards’ campaign finances, an attorney for the two-time presidential candidate said Wednesday.

Lawyer Wade Smith said he has learned from other attorneys and other sources that several new subpoenas were issued. Smith said Edwards didn’t violate any law.

“We want them to look as carefully as they wish,” said Smith, who declined to discuss who got subpoenas and what they were seeking.

The subpoenas indicate signs of life for an investigation that hasn’t publicly shown activity for a year. Edwards mistress Rielle Hunter and former aide Andrew Young made appearances at the federal courthouse in Raleigh a year ago to testify before a grand jury.

Young says he testified about vast sums of money that changed hands to help keep Hunter in hiding.

Edwards, a former North Carolina senator and 2004 Democratic candidate for vice president, has largely been in seclusion since admitting two years ago that he had an affair with Hunter. He publicly admitted for the first time earlier this year he fathered her child. John and Elizabeth Edwards have separated after more than 30 years of marriage.

Hunter worked for Edwards’ political action committee in 2006, shooting behind-the-scenes video as the Democrat prepared to launch his second White House campaign. The committee paid her video production firm $100,000 that year and then another $14,000 later on in what a senior campaign official described as a payment for leftover footage.

Young has said he was tasked with taking care of Hunter both during the campaign and after. He described receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in support from Edwards supporter Bunny Mellon, the wealthy widow of banking heir Paul Mellon, and from Edwards campaign finance leader Fred Baron, who died last year.

Young said Wednesday he has not received another subpoena.