TPMMuckraker

Report: Obama Justice Department Green Lights John Edwards Prosecution

Rielle Hunter with her baby, and John Edwards

The Obama administration’s Justice Department has given federal prosecutors the go ahead to prosecute former Senator and presidential candidate John Edwards, ABC reported late Tuesday.

Edwards is aware he is facing an indictment and is considering his options, ABC’s Jonathan Karl reported.

Federal prosecutors were reportedly nearing a decision in the case against the former Democratic Senator from North Carolina as of February. Federal prosecutors have been working on a case alleging Edwards violated election laws as he tried to cover up his affair with campaign videographer Rielle Hunter.

A Justice Department spokeswoman did not immediately respond to TPM’s request for comment, but DOJ policy prohibits commenting before any indictment is made public.

More background on the Edwards case here.

John Edwards
Ryan J. Reilly

Ryan J. Reilly is a D.C.-based reporter for TPM. Prior to joining TPM, he worked for a news website covering the Justice Department and was a researcher for Bloomberg News. His email address is ryan(at)talkingpointsmemo.com.

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