Hartford Courant
In a note to Edwards received by Young, a person described in the indictment as Person C and believed to be Mellon wrote, "The timing of your telephone call on Friday was 'witchy.' I was sitting alone in a grim mood -- furious that the press attacked Senator Edwards on the price of a haircut. But it inspired me -- from now on, all haircuts, etc., that are necessary and important for his campaign -- please send the bills to me -- it's a way to help our friend without government restrictions."
After already contributing to Edwards the maximum amount under law, Mellon provided additional money to Edwards. According to court documents, between June 2007 and January 2008, Mellon allegedly wrote personal checks payable to a friend, hiding that she was giving money to Edwards.
John Edwards trial: Criminal trial begins today in Greensboro, North Carolina for senator
wptv.com
Court documents show that from December 2007 to January 2008, Baron allegedly wrote nine checks ranging from $9,000 to $58,000. The money was used for Young to hide a pregnant Hunter from the media, as he falsely claimed paternity for her child. Baron's money was used to charter a private jet for trips to Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Aspen, Colorado; San Diego and Santa Barbara, California.
Things weren't faring better for Edwards on the trail. He placed second in the Iowa caucuses and following disappointing losses in New Hampshire and South Carolina he ended his campaign for president on January 30, 2008.
Trial Of Fallen Democratic Star John Edwards Opens
Ryan J. Reilly, TPM Media
Around that same time, Young read a note that then-96-year-old Edwards donor Bunny Mellon had sent to Young in April 2007, upset over a report on Edwards’ infamous $400 hair cut. The government alleged that Edwards and Young solicited money from Mellon and that Mellon subsequently wrote personal checks to a friend who forwarded them to Young. Young’s wife endorsed the checks with her maiden name and allegedly deposited them in bank accounts controlled by her and her husband.
The government also charges that in July and August of 2009, while working with a former employee of his campaign on a statement explaining that he was the father of Hunter’s child, Edwards allegedly said that he was aware of the payments but that for “legal and practical reasons” the payments should not be mentioned in the statement. He never issued the statement they prepared.
John Edwards goes on trial, plus more to watch for Monday in politics
Phil Pruitt, ABCNews
Edwards as indicted last June on six felony counts, including conspiracy, four counts of receiving illegal campaign contributions and one count of false statements for allegedly soliciting and secretly spending over $925,000 to hide his mistress, Rielle Hunter, at the height of his 2008 White House campaign. He says he is not guilty.
U.S. District Court Judge Catherine C. Eagles says the trial will last about six weeks.