Flight could cause problem for [John] Edwards

[tritsofme]

With John Edwards under investigation by a federal grand jury, two former prosecutors say a trip he made to the home of a wealthy supporter - and possible witness - could raise legal questions.

On Friday, a Raleigh TV station showed Edwards at the Raleigh-Durham airport walking off a plane belonging to Rachel "Bunny" Mellon, a wealthy heiress who supported the former Democrat's presidential candidate's campaign.

Flight records showed the plane flew from RDU to the private airstrip at Mellon's northern Virginia home. In 2008 Mellon's holding company gave $3.48 million to Alliance for a New America, a 527 group tied to Edwards' presidential campaign. Prosecutors investigating Edwards have talked to Mellon's attorneys.

The grand jury is investigating whether Edwards used campaign money to cover up an affair with mistress Rielle Hunter. Charlotte lawyer Ken Bell, a former federal prosecutor, said Edwards' flight could cause an appearance problem, if not legal.

<SNIP>
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/topstories/story/1125131.html

Tsk tsk.

I didn't realize there was a federal grand jury investigating Edwards. That son of a mill-worker has gotten himself in a pickle.

[AzDar]

1. Yet the war criminal son of the war criminal goes unexamined...

:banghead:

[WCGreen]

5. And John Yoo is untouchable....

[WhiteTara]

8. not to mention Darth Cheney n/t

[defendandprotect]

12. Gonzales who tortured our laws to torture other human beings!!!

IMO, there are interests who very much want to rid the stage of anyone like

Edwards who will deliver a populist message -- an anti-corporate message.

I'm very disappointed in Edwards -- but I also think his legal actions vs corporations

has left many on the corporate side anxious and willing to take revenge on him.

Again -- I'm not saying he hasn't personally been an idiot --

Edwards certainly was and is an idiot -- bit this certainly isn't the first time --

nor will it be the last time that spouses have cheated on one another.

Remember Newt Gingrich -- ?? And he seemingly pays no political price for his personal

scandals??!!

[notadmblnd]

2. Was he told not to travel or associate with his aquaintences?

if not, what's the problem?

[grantcart]

6. witness tampering

The grand jury is investigating whether Edwards used campaign money to cover up an affair with mistress Rielle Hunter. Charlotte lawyer Ken Bell, a former federal prosecutor, said Edwards' flight could cause an appearance problem, if not legal.

"It would create a danger of being accused of trying to influence a witness or obstruct justice," he said. "It's dangerous and perhaps inadvisable, but not necessarily illegal."

[izquierdista]

10. "appearance " problem

I feel so much better that "appearances" are being investigated instead of wasting time on war crimes, torture, war profiteering, human rights violations, contractor fraud, outing of covert agents, vote rigging,.......

[notadmblnd]

11. So if you're being investigated for something, you need to cut off all contact with people you know

even if the court hasn't ordered it? How is it witness tampering if he was never told the person was a witness and to stay away from him?

[grantcart]

13. Mellon is also a target of the investigation

Until the indictment comes down he is free to meet anyone he wants, it just doesn't look good.

[dsc]

3. He is part of the reason my district's federal attorney has a hold on him

the Edwards investigation and the Easley investigation are both in mid stream. Even Hagan says they can't replace Bush's guy until these are done.

[Jamastiene]

4. It feels like every Democrat in North Carolina is being investigated.

Mike Easley is under investigation too.

[lynne]

7. Good God, Bunny Mellon is still alive???

- She's 99 years old and I'm not joking. Has had ties within the Democratic party beginning with Kennedy. I'm not sure she'd be much of a "witness" at age 99 and I seriously doubt she is in such condition that she has control of her estate.

[EFerrari]

9. But no one will cause a problem for the torture president.