Former Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Senator John Edwards had his federal trial regarding campaign finance violations delayed Friday by a North Carolina judge citing an upcoming heart surgery scheduled for Mr. Edwards in February.
The trial’s original January 30th date was delayed by Greensboro, N.C. U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles until March 26th “at the earliest,” Politico reports.
“The letters from Mr. Edwards’ physicians are pretty clear this is a serious condition,” said Judge Eagles Friday.
Mr. Edwards faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of charges by the Justice Department that he violated campaign finance laws in 2008 by using campaign funds to support a mistress that he allegedly had an extramarital affair and child with at the time.
The judge also reported receiving letters from cardiologists detailing Mr. Edwards’ heart condition, which has resulted in Mr. Edwards not being allowed to drive or perform strenuous actions.
The trial was originally delayed in September after his attorneys claimed the former North Carolina lawmaker needed more time to prepare because of his being the sole provider for his two children, after his wife passed away in 2010.
In late September, his attorneys sought a delay in the trial but did not identify Mr. Edwards’ medical condition at the time.
Mr. Edwads did not comment on his medical condition or the trial Friday.
