Edwards pleads not guilty in US affair cover up

Jun 3, 2011, 19:48 GMT

(FILE) A file photograph dated 26 January 2008 showing US Democratic Presidential hopeful former North Carolina Senator John Edwards delivering a speech to supporters at his South Carolina Democratic Primary watch party in Columbia, South Carolina, USA. Former presidential candidate John Edwards was indicted 03 June 2011 on charges related to the misuse of campaign funds to cover up an affair. Edwards, 58, was due to appear in a federal court in his home state of North Carolina to hear the charges levied against him, the US Justice Department said. They include conspiracy to violate the campaign finance laws and making false statements, accepting illegal campaign contributions and concealing those donations from election officials, the Justice Department said. EPA/MICHAL CZERWONKA

Washington - Former presidential candidate John Edwards pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges that he misused campaign funds to cover up an extramarital affair.

Edwards, 58, appeared in a federal court in his home state of North Carolina to hear the charges levied against him and enter the plea. While leaving, Edwards acknowledged he has 'done wrong' and regretted the pain he has caused to those close to him, but denied committing a crime.

'I did not break the law, and I never, ever thought that I was breaking the law,' Edwards said in his brief remarks without taking questions.

Edwards was allowed to leave the court without posting bail, but was required to surrender his passport and instructed to remain in the United States, CNN reported.

The Justice Department filed charges against Edwards Friday that include conspiring to violate the campaign finance laws and making false statements, accepting illegal campaign contributions and concealing those donations from election officials.

Edwards has been under investigation for two years. The probe stems from the alleged diversion of more than 900,000 dollars in donations to his 2008 presidential run to support his mistress and hide the relationship.

'The payments at issue were used to facilitate Edwards' extra-marital affair, and to conceal it and the resulting pregnancy from the public,' the Justice Department said.

The money was used to pay for the living and medical expenses for the mistress, Rielle Hunter, and for travel and accommodations to hide her from the media, the Justice Department said.

Each charge carries a maximum five-year prison sentence and a 250,000-dollar fine.

After dropping out of the race, Edwards admitted to the affair. Later, he also admitted to fathering a child with his mistress, all while his wife, Elizabeth, was battling cancer. She died in December.

The affair ruined his public image and political career. Elizabeth's death left him to parent his two youngest children from Elizabeth alone.

Edwards was the Democratic Party's vice presidential nominee in 2004, and had previously represented his state in the Senate. Politico, a political news website, reported that negotiations for a plea deal between Edwards' attorneys and prosecutors collapsed, resulting in the ensuing indictment.

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