The US Department of Justice has given the go-ahead to the prosecution of John Edwards for alleged campaign law violations while he tried to cover up an extra-marital affair. A source has reported that Edwards is aware the government intends to seek an indictment and that he is now considering his limited options. He can either accept a plea bargain with prosecutors or face a potentially ruinous trial.
Edwards has been the target of a federal investigation focusing on hundreds of thousands of dollars allegedly provided by two wealthy supporters. The government would contend these were illegal donations that eventually went to support and seclude his mistress. The government would have to prove that the intent of the donations was to cover-up the affair, if the case were to proceed to trial.