A federal judge in North Carolina will hold a hearing in response to five motions filed by lawyers for John Edwards seeking the dismissal of the case against the former presidential candidate.
In a series of filings, Mr. Edwards, a former senator from North Carolina and the 2004 Democratic vice-presidential nominee, argued that the nearly $1 million that was used to keep secret his relationship with Rielle Hunter, a campaign videographer with whom he had a daughter, came in the form of gifts — not campaign contributions.
Mr. Edwards’ lawyers contend the charges are constitutionally vague and were pursued by a Republican prosecutor for political gain. Edwards, a successful trial lawyer before his election to the U.S. Senate in 1998, has admitted he’s done wrong but “did not break the law.”
Prosecutors, in turn, filed a stack of motions ridiculing the arguments seeking dismissal as baseless and ignorant of the law.
Edwards is accused of using about $1 million in undisclosed payments from campaign donors to cover up his affair with Rielle Hunter during his 2008 White House bid.
The trial is slated to begin in January 2012.
