The Bold and the Beautiful:The John Edwards Trial

I have to say. The phrase that first comes to mind is "You can not make this ish up!"
I have found the trial of the former Senator to be quite entertaining. Soap opera and TV writers must be drooling over the turn of events. For those of you that have not been keeping up with the trial, I will introduce you to the cast of characters.

John Edwards. We all know him as an attorney and a former Senator from North Carolina. He is charismatic, tall and handsome with piercing blue eyes and of course-great hair!  He was married to the much loved Elizabeth Edwards who died of breast cancer in 2010. They were married for 33 years and had four children together. Their son Wade died in a car crash in 1996. In 2004 Senator Edwards was the democratic vice presidential candidate alongside John Kerry. In 2008 he ran for the democratic presidential nomination. While his wife was battling stage 4 cancer and campaigning for him, the former Senator was having an affair with his campaign videographer Rielle Hunter. According to Ms.Hunter, the affair started in 2006 and in 2008 she had a daughter which the former senator denied was his until 2010. During the campaign, he conspired with his equally attractive aide Andrew Young to hide the affair and subsequent birth of a daughter using campaign contributions. He reportedly stated that Ms.Hunter was a "slut" and there was only a 1 in 3 chance that the child was his.
Classy.

Andrew Young. I don't recall seeing his picture until recently. He is, as my older relatives would say, easy on the eyes! He is the former aide to John Edwards. Apparently the most loyal aide that ever was!! He was so devoted to the candidacy and campaign of the former Senator that he was willing to not only assist in covering up the affair but he also claimed the affair and the baby was his doing. Now why would anyone go to such extremes? Is it because he believed John Edwards would be the best president ever? Or was it because there was some financial benefit to him and his family? Well maybe both. He did admit on the stand that most of the money collected from donors to hide the affair and take care of Ms.Hunter was kept by he and his wife and a large amount went towards additions to his million dollar mansion in North Carolina. He also wrote a book about his experience. What he didn't write about was the accusation that he stole a sex tape of John Edwards and Rielle Hunter to use for personal gain.
ChaChing.

Cheri Young. Cheri is the wife of former aide Andrew Young. She was asked by her husband to go along with the lies in order to keep the campaign going. On the witness stand she claims that John Edwards told her that using the money to hide and take care of Ms.Hunter was legal as told to him by his campaign attorneys. She also testified that she was told the entire campaign would fall apart if she did not go along with the plan. Many of the checks from donors were written to Cheri Young and her husband admitted that she handled the family's finances. What came out in the trial that I had not been aware of was that Ms.Hunter lived with Mr. and Mrs.Young and their 3 children. "now say what now?" One of their residences was a $20,000 a month rental house in Santa Barbara paid for by a campaign donor. At least Mrs.Young got a home theater and pool out of it as additions to a family home that was being built in North Carolina.
Dazed and Confused

Rielle Hunter. I will admit I do not know much about Ms.Hunter. I hate to say it but she may be the only one that doesn't fit the title above :/) She is a former television actress and film producer. She met John Edwards in a bar in NYC and pitched an idea to him of informational behind the scenes campaign videos. He was obviously impressed with...something and she was soon hired by the campaign.  What I do recall is that in a televised interview after the birth of her daughter she stated that her and John Edwards slept together without protection the first night they met. Really? And why exactly would you say that on television especially while John Edwards was still married and his wife was fighting for her life? She also stated that they were in love and he only stayed with Elizabeth because of his political aspirations. Hmmm. I wonder how she feels hearing John Edward's description of her stated above. And it gets more seedy. There is a sex tape of her and John Edwards that was made during the presidential campaign. Andrew young is accused of stealing the tape to sell it and to threaten John Edwards with as the lies were unfolding. During the cover up, besides living in various mansions, Ms.Hunter reportedly received $5-12,000 as a monthly allowance along with thousands for housekeeping, shopping and a BMW. She gave birth to her daughter at age 43 (wow) and did not list a father on the birth certificate. Since John Edwards claimed their daughter and is a millionaire, I am sure Ms.Hunter continues to live quite well.
Entrepreneur?

Rachael "Bunny" Mellon. Mrs.Mellon is the widow of banking heir Paul Mellon. Andrew Young testified that he was asked by John Edwards to approach Mrs.Mellon to ask for money for non campaign expenses that would be used to help him along the campaign. Such expenses were described as expensive haircuts that Mr.Edwards was ridiculed for. (he is now apparently getting his hair cut at supercuts lol). On the witness stand Andrew Young stated that Mrs.Mellon made checks out to her interior decorator who cosigned the checks with Cheri Young's maiden name. Mrs.Young would then deposit the checks into the Young's account and distribute accordingly.
SugarMama

Fred Baron. Mr Baron who is deceased, was a millionaire, lawyer, former partner of John Edwards and an avid supporter. He also supplied cash and paid the bills once Ms.Hunter and the Youngs went into hiding. In court a note from Mr.Baron was presented that apparently accompanied cash for expenses. The note read "Old Chinese saying. Use cash, not credit cards".
Smart Friend

The movie Ides of March came to mind as I was writing this. It is definitely worth a rental. It amazes me the lengths that people will go in order to obtain and maintain power, money and control. Not to mention greed being an evil motivator. I do not think anyone is shocked by news of an affair or a child out of wedlock. However, what continues to shock me is doing so while in the public eye running for President and while your wife, who is battling cancer, is campaigning on your behalf. I haven't been able to look at Mr.Edwards the same since. But I have not heard his story. It is a good sign that his eldest daughter and parents have been supporting him in court. If convicted he faces up to 30 years in prison and 1.5 million dollars in fines for 6 charges of violating campaign finance laws and for conspiracy.

Thoughts?