Feds are looking at Edwards' campaign

[cali]

Investigators dig through records to see if donors' money was used to cover up affair with campaign worker.
By Mandy Locke

Posted: Sunday, May. 03, 2009

Federal investigators are sifting through the records of money that helped John Edwards' presidential campaign to determine if any was used to keep quiet his affair with Rielle Hunter.

Edwards, a Democrat and former U.S. senator, acknowledged the investigation to The News & Observer.

“I am confident that no funds from my campaign were used improperly,” Edwards said in a statement.

“However, I know that it is the role of government to ensure that this is true. We have made available to the United States both the people and the information necessary to help them get the issue resolved efficiently and in a timely matter. We appreciate the diligence and professionalism of those involved and look forward to a conclusion.”

Edwards declined to discuss the matter.

A review of Edwards' campaign money will turn up a cluster of nonprofits, some not subject to the same rules of transparency as official campaign organizations.

Records of one group that does disclose donors, the Alliance for a New America, show that Edwards' 2008 campaign got a huge boost from a single source: $3.48 million from a holding company for Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon, a 98-year-old matriarch of industrialist Andrew Mellon's fortune.

<snip>

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/597/story/702132.html

[Smith_3]

1. He's fuckeder than fucked.

Back during the primaries I thought he might be a good candidate. Without looking too much into specifics of his policies I took how well he treated his sick wife as a good indicator of his character.... *sigh*

[Hannah Bell]

2. what an interesting story.

"Rachel Lowe Lambert Lloyd Mellon (born August 9, 1910) eldest daughter of Gerard Barnes Lambert, a president of Gillette Safety Razor Co. and a founder of the Warner-Lambert fortune (Warner-Lambert is now part of Pfizer, following a 2000 merger). Her mother was the former Rachel Lowe (later Mrs Malvern Clopton).

In 1932, Rachel Lowe Lambert married Stacy Barcroft Lloyd Jr. Divorced in 1948, she married, as her second husband, the banking heir and art collector Paul Mellon... The couple bred and raced thoroughbred horses, including a winner of the Kentucky Derby.

Mellon was a longtime friend of John Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy advising Mrs. Kennedy first on fine arts and antiques during the Kennedy White House restoration, and then contributing to the design of the grounds of the president's house."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Lambert_Mellon

Paul Mellon KBE (June 11, 1907 – February 1, 1999)...co-heir to one of America's greatest business fortunes, created by his grandfather Thomas Mellon, his father Andrew W. Mellon, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1921 to 1932; and his father's brother Richard B. Mellon. In 1957, when Fortune prepared its first list of the wealthiest Americans, it estimated that Paul Mellon, his sister Ailsa Mellon-Bruce, and his cousins Sarah Mellon and Richard King Mellon, were all amongst the richest eight people in the United States, with fortunes of between 400 and 700 million dollars each.

...He was survived by his wife, Rachel (a.k.a. Bunny), his children, Catherine Conover (first wife of John Warner) and Timothy Mellon, and two stepchildren, Stacy Lloyd III and Eliza, Viscountess Moore. Paul Mellon's foremost philanthropic interest was his alma mater, Yale University.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Mellon

[Hannah Bell]

3. Sure wish i knew which faction was after his ass, & why.

[cali]

4. I can't think of any political reason for anyone to go after his ass

he's about as much of a political threat as the dodo. If he were a repuke and the situation was exactly the same, DUers would be cheering an investigation. Anyway, Edwards was never a threat to the corpocracy he very much a member of.

[Hannah Bell]

6. sure are a lot of bad things happening to him. like spitzer.

[cali]

8. so both spitzer and edwards are just passive victims of some evil cabal

undoubtedly there are people exploiting the fuck ups of both men, but that they both fucked up is undeniable.

[Hannah Bell]

10. impeccable timing/

[cali]

12. timing or not, it's virtually impossible to

ieep something like Edward's affair secret.

[Hannah Bell]

21. not impossible to keep it secret from the public. many, many examples.

[cali]

39. really? you mean like Gary Hart?

This isn't the 1960s. It's virtually impossible to keep something like what JE did secret. He was a high profile candidate for the nomination for prez. The rumors were there almost from the start.

[Hannah Bell]

83. no, like bush 1.

[Alexander]

87. Bush I was Director of the CIA. He has some experience at keeping secrets.

And frankly, the skeletons in his closet are a lot worse than an affair.

[Hannah Bell]

88. his affair = public knowledge in dc, but doesn't make the news. similar

to many political cheaters on the right side of the power structure.

it's who ya know, not whatcha know.

[Alexander]

102. Neither did any of his CIA activities.

Many of which coups, terrorist attacks, death squads, arms-for-hostages deals, assassinations and general state-sponsored death and destruction.

If anyone knows how to cover things up and silence whistleblowers, it's the Bush crime family.

[sufrommich]

37. In what way is the timing impeccable?

The primaries are over, Obama won, John Edwards is a threat to absolutely no one.

[Snotcicles]

63. Think again

http://www.citizensforethics.org/taxonomy/term/1483

[NYCGirl]

64. They can both be investigated at the same time. Still, Edwards is a threat to

no one anymore.

[Snotcicles]

65. In reference to post #3. nt

[bobburgster]

7. This seems random

It does seem a bit Ken Starr-ish to simply start an investigation on a 'what if . . .', unless there was some tip off that there were improprieties.

[cali]

9. we know that Edward's mistress was being paid off

where the money came from is another question.

[Hannah Bell]

11. & we know how rare corruption in campaign financing is. i mean, the obvious

target for an investigation would be john edwards & his mistress, cause sex is the worst kind of corruption.

[cali]

14. you're confused.

the investigation isn't about sex. it's about misuse of campaign funds.

[Hannah Bell]

22. i'm not confused. said misuse is small-time payoff to mistress.

[cali]

25. oh, so if he did misuse campaign funds, it's ok with you

because it was only to a mistress and because it was only a few hundred thousand. I relish your hypocrisy. it's a riot.

[Hannah Bell]

27. yep, i save my outrage for murder, phoney wars, & sending everyone to the poorhouse.

sex on the campaign dime - routine.

[cali]

66. seems to me

you save your outrage chiefly for Obama.

[Hannah Bell]

76. wtf? you're out to lunch.

[hyphenate]

94. seems to me

you save your outrage chiefly for Edwards.

[cornermouse]

13. It is as random as

cali's non-stop attacks on Edwards is random. Smaller tents are so much cozier.

[cali]

15. tut tut. don't attack me

because you're upset about your idol.

[cornermouse]

17. I don't have an idol.

I'm not waiting for someone to save me...

[vanbean]

105. Be nice, Cali. You're "on one" again.

[Hannah Bell]

18. heh. i wondered why she cared.

[cali]

23. here's why I care:

I pegged Johny as a hypocrite of the worst sort back in 2003. I knew he was a self-serving, narcissistic type who cared only about himself. When he adopted his anti-poverty platform, I contrasted that with his record in the Senate and with his actions- working for a very sleazy hedge fund, profitting off the misery of those afflcted in NO, building a truly monstrous energy sucking house, paying for his beauty care with campaign funds, etc. and I knew he diddn't give a flying fuck about poverty. I criticized him when he was DU's progressive darling, because I knew it was a scam. I got rafts of shit for daring to criticize St. John of the Hedge Fund. Rather satisfying to see I was right about the piece of shit.

[Hannah Bell]

26. self-serving, narcissistic - how unusual in politics.

corrupt & deceitful - oh, my, my. shocking.

[bobburgster]

30. I thought that was listed in the job requirements!

[cali]

31. didn't say it was shocking.

not shocking at all, but if he used campaign funds to pay off his mistress, it's blatantly illegal. don't like that it's illegal? maybe you should lead a fight to relax campaign spending laws.

:rofl:

[tkmorris]

33. Oh wow, you brought up his haircut?

That hasn't been debunked enough for you yet? And by the way you haven't been proven right about anything. The man had an affair. It's between him and his wife. You do know he's not the first presidential candidate, or indeed president, to do so yes?

[cali]

36. debunked? oh please.

it's been well documented that 2 haircuts were originally paid for by the campaign. they were in disclosure forms. And it was only after the stir about them, that JE reimbursed the campaign.

And sure I've been proven right by the sleaze's actions. he cut ties with his anti-poverty program at UNC, he shut down his scholarship program. he worked for a scummy hedge fund and invested big time in it. his record in the Senate is center right.

And he isn't the first candidate to cheat on his wife, but he's in the company of such slime sucking pieces of shit as McCain and Gringrich when it comes to cheating on gravely ill wives.

[tkmorris]

38. And Clinton and Kennedy

Wives not gravely ill, but I don't think that changes much do you? Seems an arbitrary standard if so. Enjoy your hatred of the "sleaze" though!

[cali]

40. I think it;'s significant

but they were sleazes as well, and Bill abused his office with his affair with a very young subordinate.

[Baby Snooks]

67. No comparison to Jackie...

Jackie Kennedy knew and didn't care. She came from a world where men had wives and mistresses. Her mother didn't divorce her father because he had too many mistresses. Her mother divorced her father because he didn't have enough money to support the lifestyle she wanted to become accustomed to. Her mother became an Auchincloss. Jackie remained a Bouvier. And adored her father. Mistresses and all.

Jackie Kennedy also didn't feel the need to publicly turn her husband into a victim as Hillary and Elizabeth have. She in fact never said a word. And wouldn't have. Even if others had. Some did along the way. And that was the last time they said anything at all to her.

I really am tired of the comparisons of various political wives and first ladies to Jackie Kennedy. There is no comparison.

[Hannah Bell]

91. Thank you: "She came from a world where men had wives and mistresses"- spot on.

The "outrage" - on all sides - is strictly for the rubes in the provinces. Upper-class marriages are often business & dynastic arrangments.

[Hannah Bell]

96. and if the mellon matriarch gave 3 million to edwards kind of under the table & his finances

are still being investigated, i'd guess there's a bit of deep politics going on.

not just a bimbo scare.

3 million from one very rich donor, family long involved at the pinnacle of ruling class politics.

[jmowreader]

54. Now, if you go over to the OTHER side...

Sarah Palin's traveling hairstylist earned $750 per day, and her traveling makeup artist earned around $1000 per day. Even if you believe the wildest Republican estimate of Edwards' stylist expenses, they work out to less than one day of Palin's combined services or two days of just her hair service. Surprise, kids: campaigning is expensive and appearance is paramount.

[Adelante]

5. These 527s are the devil

They should be outlawed.

[cornermouse]

16. pssttt.

“Fanaticism consists in redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim.”
—Life of Reason, Reason in Common Sense, Scribner's, 1905, p. 13"

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

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

[cornermouse]

28. This is little more than a caricature.

Bye bye cali.

[tkmorris]

34. "it's people like you...."

You have this habit of turning every discussion into something personal. You attack the poster, not the idea. It's kind of transparent Cali. Please stop.

[cali]

41. uh, look upthtead. I made my comments in response to an attack.

[jmowreader]

20. This looks like "new commander syndrome" to me

All us old spldiers know when you get a new commander you better be on your very best behavior, because damn near every one of them is going to go looking for someone to nail really, really hard so his subordinates will know he means business and his rater will know he won't tolerate misbehavior. In this case, though, you're looking at the potential for very serious crimes--sexual indiscretion is a serious career killer for 21st-century Democratic politicians. (Republican politicians can survive it--David Vitter will probably be reelected in 2010. Democrats are damn near expected to not have sex with their own wives.)

Unfortunately for Edwards, there really might be something there, which would enable the Justice Department to throw the book at him in an effort to prove how tough they are.

I just hope that while they're trying to figure out all of Edwards' sexual peccadilloes and how campaign finance funds could have been used to cover them up, they've also got an Office of Bush Administration Atrocity Investigation.

[Hannah Bell]

24. ncs = investigating someone in your own party for some minor pecadillo?

while giving trillions to banksters for their good work in destroying the world economy?

heckuva job.

[cali]

29. sorry, there's nothing illegal or potntially illegal about the bank bailouts

I find your defense of JE, funny as hell in a wholly hypocritical way.

[jmowreader]

55. No, the bank payoffs are separate from the Edwards investigation

Unlike Republicans, Democrats are capable of doing two things at once.

[alarimer]

57. This is not minor.

Not if he used campaign funds to cover up his affair.

Edwards is scum of the earth and we are so lucky he didn't win. It would another Clinton (whom I also basically despise for his bimbo eruptions). I hope he stays out of politics completely.

[jbnow]

62. The "new commander" hardly has a role in this except in not replacing

the 50 AGs. Well 49 since Durbin says they are keeping Fitzgerald on.

The investigation is being conducted by the office of U.S. Attorney George Holding, based in Raleigh, and a federal grand jury could consider evidence. Holding declined to comment on Edwards.

Holding, a Republican, has helped prosecute several prominent Democrats. His office is also investigating a real estate development and car deals involving former Gov. Mike Easley.

[Adelante]

32. Edwards's finances have always been a target

Because they're so convoluted and secret. He's had to pay a good number of FEC fines over the years. I doubt this investigation even started in the Obama administration.

[Baby Snooks]

68. It's still much ado about nothing...

All of these investigations are much ado about nothing. There are more important issues. More important issues to the American people anyway. But then, well, the American people really don't matter do they?

[cali]

72. it doesn't matter if there are more important issues to the American people

that's not what investigations into criminal behavior should be based on.

[shadowknows69]

35. Sorry if I fail to have any sympathy for my formerly favorite candidate

That little "rush fundraising day" A million in a day or whatever it was he held literally days before he dropped out kind of smelled bad at the time.

[Political Heretic]

42. Everyone seems to be on a moral high horse about Edwards and never felt that way about Clinton

Seems strange to me...

I asked what makes it different in another thread, got only one response and it didn't really seem satisfying to me.

[cali]

45. I had plenty to say about Clinton and Lewinsky

I didn't favor impeachment but I certainly criticize him sharply for that. So did JE for that matter. Hypocrisy much?

And I answered you in another thread. When the Flowers story came out, Clinton didn't deny it. Instead he went on TV and did the mea culpa thing. Pretty repulsive, but people knew what they were getting with him. JE denied it until after he dropped out. Also, there's the fact that JE made this big deal about the sanctity of his marriage and using it to justify his opposition to marriage equality. Not to mention his cheating on a gravely ill wife and using her as an attack dog while he was cheating.

[Political Heretic]

46. I definitely agree about the JE hypocrisis re: comments toward Clinton

Interesting other points also...

[shadowknows69]

53. I thought Clinton should resign

Not for a blowjob but for lying to us.


edit to add: And I thought Edwards was scum for even having run knowing he had dirty laundry that would have cost us the election probably had he been the nom.

[jbnow]

60. For lying to us? Not to the court? Anyone can feel free

to lie to me about their legal sex life unless it is my business...like they are my spouse/lover. Clinton was not.

Though I admit if I had really cared and then believed it when he lied and so felt relieved that the scandal wouldn't go anywhere or impede his presidency...I'd be more upset.

[shadowknows69]

73. That's what I meant mostly

Our President shouldn't lie to us or our courts, except perhaps in matters of extreme national security, ever. Maybe I hold my leaders to too high of standards. Could be why I haven't been more than 60% happy with one of them ever.

[Baby Snooks]

69. He shouldn't have lied...

He should have just smiled and walked off when the question was asked instead of engaging in semantics. It was the semantics rather than the lie that disturbed everyone the most.

[cali]

70. um, no. Clinton was under oath. Smiling and walking off were not options.

[peace13]

103. Makes you wonder how Clinton ever got under oath.

* , shooter and the gang simply refused. Interesting.

[JonLP24]

104. Everyone that says this line. Do you realize Edwards was on a high horse

in regards to Clinton's affair? If not search Edwards, precious daughter, clinton. It should come up.

[Political Heretic]

107. I do, but I fail to see the relevance.

[Danger Mouse]

43. Say it ain't so, Johnny!

[WI_DEM]

44. an investigation like this may force him to acknowldege soemthing else as well.

[ellie]

47. He's another asshole

that couldn't keep it in his pants. I could give a shit what the guy does in private, but his life wasn't private. He was running for president! Did the idiot learn nothing from the Clinton blow job fiasco? And whether or not you think his affair was a private matter, the repukes would have ran with it forever.

[cali]

48. his sleazoid affair was the least of my concerns with him. n/t

[cornermouse]

50. Two down or would that be kicked?

and one to go.

[cali]

52. I take it you're referring to Spitzer

who's the third?

[HelenWheels]

49. The Feds have better things to do than this. nt

[cali]

51. What is the U.S. Attorney for NC supposed to be doing?

got any specific things you think he should be focusing on?

[Kansas Wyatt]

58. There are a lot of Big Banks headquartered in N.C.

How about going back to see how much fraud was committed within these banks, by either the bank or officers of the bank?

That would serve a greater good than going after a "has been" that committed political suicide. But hey, since a Democrat is in the White House, we have to stick with sex investigations only.

[dem629]

74. How is this a "sex investigation"?

That he had an affair is no reason to dismiss the concerns of how campaign money was spent. Is that some kind of defense? I don't think so.

And is there a shortage of investigators in NC?

[Kansas Wyatt]

75. And how much campaign money is spent on family members of politicians?

It becomes a 'sex investigation,' when the only focus is on going after a politician who had an extramarital girlfriend on the payroll too. Like it or not, she still did a job for his campaign. If you want to investigate it, then you had better investigate all other politicians for campaign impropriety with all of their spouses, children, siblings, etc. etc.

Now, how about using the investigators to go after fraud within the banking industries headquartered in North Carolina, since that had widespread damage to the people of this country, instead of focusing on the juicy tabloid investigation?

That is my point.

[cali]

84. that's not what's being investigated as I understand it.

the problem is payments made by Baron, Edwards former campaign finance chairman to Hunter, not the money she was paid for her work for the campaign.

[Kansas Wyatt]

98. As I stated in my reply...

"If you want to investigate it, then you had better investigate all other politicians for campaign impropriety with all of their spouses, children, siblings, etc. etc."

By investigating 'payments made by Baron, Edwards former campaign finance chairman to Hunter,' it still goes down the slippery slope of targeting a juicy tabloid issue related to SEX and infidelity. How many other Representatives / Politicians have had the people in their campaigns or their financiers pay their spouses, children, siblings, 'sex toys,' etc. etc. for underhanded dealings and/or reasons? If all investigators were only to investigate all the politicians for such impropriety, the investigators probably could not come close to uncovering all the fraud and corruption that takes place. Besides, it's not like they are investigating the banking industry or military industrial complex paying blackmail money for a politician, keeping his squeeze, or buying a politician off. I know it sucks for poor people to give him precious money to be wasted on paying anything for her, but that would be better than any Wealthy Elite Industry in a representative's pocket and on a leash.

I did NOT argue that what he, or any other politician doing this, wasn't wrong. My point was that there are major financial institutions headquartered in North Carolina. So why in the Hell are we wasting our time on a "HAS BEEN" that already committed political suicide, with his sexual infidelity? Someone close to me worked at Wachovia, and she quit when she realized what they had turned into and what they were doing, well before their fall.

Wouldn't it be wiser to use precious resources going after major financial institutions and their officers, who had a hand in wrecking the economy, which would actually clean up and/or deter the fraud and corruption that directly affects the American People?

John Edwards will NEVER be back in politics, because people that believed in him, will never trust him again. Barack Obama would still be President, even if John Edwards had NEVER been in the Primary.

[alarimer]

56. What an asshole.

I am sure glad I didn't vote for this piece of shit.

[Holly_Hobby]

59. I googled "Francis Hunter"

Of course, Fox has a picture, on her 1st birthday. It's a shame she's going to be another innocent victim.

http://www.foxnews.com/photoessay/0,4644,4789,00.html

[foo_bar]

71. I get the sense that Edwards would reproduce asexually if budding were an option

I'm not saying he wants to clone himself, but he does seem to be in the market for a male heir, and his choice of meiosis partner resembles Edwards in a wig (IMO), so I almost think Edwards would be happier as a ringworm.

[greguganus]

61. There are a lot of small donors pissed at him that want to know where their money went. n/t

[lame54]

77. what happened to looking forward...

they have time for this but not for torture investigations

[NYCGirl]

78. The U.S. Attorney's office in Raleigh NC is involved in torture investigations? NT

[lame54]

79. They are?

[NYCGirl]

81. That's what I'm asking you. The U.S. Attorney's office in Raleigh NC has nothing

to do with the torture investigations.

[lame54]

85. I never said they did

[NYCGirl]

86. Then why bring up the torture investigations? NT

[lame54]

99. because they are part of the same justice department...

that won't investigate torture because we are supposed to be moving forward

[NYCGirl]

106. No, the attorneys in RALEIGH, NC are investigating Edwards. They have

nothing to do with the torture investigations.

[cali]

80. you're confused about what the U.S. Attny's job in NC is.

[lame54]

82. /

[Arkana]

89. This guy was a real screwball.

I knew there was something about him I didn't like, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Edwards always seemed too self-righteous, too sanctimonious...I tried to convince myself that his impassioned anti-poverty sermons were genuine and he was a guy I could get behind for President, but I just couldn't do it.

Glad I didn't.

[Hannah Bell]

90. yep, they were about as genuine as the outrage over his mistress.

[adamuu]

92. I am so disappointed in John Edwards

at a time when we were all trying to help the Democrats rebuild, he took advantage for personal gain.

[Mike 03]

93. More heartbreak and humiliation for ex-Edwards supporters like me.

I already posted my feelings about this on another thread, but it is so humiliating to have been so strident in my support for this man during the primaries, where I wasted my vote on this person.

And I pride myself in being able to spot psychopaths, but this one got by me. At least, I'm supposing that he is just another charming psychopath, like Bernard Madoff or Ted Bundy.

Those of you who had that negative feeling about him turned out to be right.

I still have trouble believing all of this.

Mindboggling, disheartening, shocking and embarrassing.

[Edith Ann]

95. JE

He got by me too. I wonder if his mistress will be investigated for income tax evasion. She got around 300.000 in spending money and rent and plane rides. She didn't declare her income to the IRS. Does that mean I can get a Sugar Daddy to give me money TAX FREE? She had no visible means of support and still doesn't. If someone's giving her money she needs to get a tax accountant. She probably owes somewhere around 30.000 to the FEDS.

She was given checks. There is a record of this money I assume. Je may not be a threat to anyone any more but he is still responsible for his actions. Shame on him for not tell the mistress she needed to file a tax return. He probably didn't want a record with the IRS re: where the money came from. I don't think you go to jail as long for campaign finances as you do for Income Tax Evasion and non reporting of income. That's how they got Al Capone. Living above his means with no visible means of support. Like a Job. Prostitutes declare their income and so should R. Hunter.

[Adelante]

97. Eh, no reason to feel bad or blame yourself for any of it

It's in the past. The country dodged this bullet. Good news for all.

[Blue_Tires]

101. yeah, i was also duped

i was an edwards supporter in '04 and '08 despite the fact that he was from N.C. (I'm a Virginian so you know *really* liked him to overlook that :))

[dionysus]

100. not supposed to pay hush money to your mistress out of campaign funds Smoove Johnny...

:rofl:

[Alexander]

108. He's rich enough, you'd think he could pay hush money out of his own pocket.

But then we are talking about the guy who billed a $300 haircut to his campaign contributors.