Edwards Divests Money From Lawyer

[Adelante]

WASHINGTON (AP) — John Edwards' presidential campaign has donated to charity $4,600 in contributions from William Lerach, a top fundraiser and a well-known trial lawyer who pleaded guilty this week to a federal conspiracy charge.

Lerach and members of his law firm, Lerach Coughlin of San Diego, contributed about $81,000 to Edwards' campaign during the first six months of the year, according to Federal Election commission records. Lerach raised money for Edwards while the lawyer was under indictment on charges that his former firm, Milberg Weiss, paid kickbacks to plaintiffs in class action lawsuits.

Earlier this year, Edwards sided with unions and consumer groups in pressing the Securities and Exchange Commission to intervene in a suit against Wall Street banks on behalf of shareholders represented by Lerach Coughlin.

The Edwards campaign denied any connection between the contributions from firm members and Edwards' stance in support of the shareholders, who were suing the banks for damages over the collapse of Enron.

-snip

Lerach also contributed to Democrat Joe Biden's presidential campaign and to Clinton's 2006 Senate campaign. This month, Biden donated the $2,700 he received to the National Prostate Coalition. The Clinton campaign would not say what it would do with the $3,100 Lerach donated to her Senate run.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h-Co3gJPkDVEY-vxsG0J6W2r4w5A

[Donnachaidh]

1. has Clinton given away ANY questionable money donated to her?

At least Biden and Edwards show some cajones in doing so.