Former Mistress Testifies in John Edwards Federal Investigation

Submitted by Julie on August 7, 2009 - 8:14am.

Rielle Hunter, the former mistress of John Edwards, spent much of her Thursday in a federal courthouse where she reportedly testified before a grand jury that is investigating the two-time Democratic presidential candidate's finances. She entered the building in the early morning through a back entrance with a young child in tow.

In an interview with ABC News last summer, Edwards denied having fathered a child with Hunter, but admitted to having an affair with her. His wife, Elizabeth, said while promoting her book that she doesn't know if her husband is the father.

Andrew Young said in 2007 that he was the father, although the birth certificate lists no name. He also made a visit to the courthouse last month, where he is said to have testified.

Edwards claims that the affair with Hunter ended in 2006. In 2006, Edwards' political action committee paid Hunter $100,000 for work, and on April 1, 2007 she was paid another $14,086. It is rumored that Edwards paid Andrew Young to take the fall for him, and for Hunter to keep her mouth shut about the affair and keep secret who the child's father really is.

In May, Edwards acknowledged that federal investigators were looking into how he used campaign funds. Because Grand jury proceedings are secret, little is known about what goes on behind the courthouse's closed doors. The US Attorney's Office in Raleigh, NC has also declined to confirm or deny an investigation.

Previous related stories:

Dec. 2007 -
John Edwards Allegedly Had Secret Affair & Fathered a Child with Rielle Hunter

July 2008 -
John Edwards Affair & Lovechild Allegations Resurface, This Time He Was Caught Red-Handed

August 6, 2008 -
National Enquirer Finally Releases John Edwards Lovechild Photos

August 8, 2008 -
John Edwards Admits to Having an Affair

August 9, 2008 -
Video: John Edwards on ABC's "NightLine" Interview Admitting Adultery

August 9, 2008 -
Rielle Hunter's Family Calls on John Edwards to Take Paternity Test

August 9, 2008 -
Dallas Attorney Admits to Paying Edwards' Mistress

August 10, 2008 -
Edwards' Mistress Will Not Have a Paternity Test, Inaccuracies in Edwards' Claims Arise

August 13, 2008 -
The National Enquirer Exposes More of John Edwards' Lies

August 14, 2008 -
Edwards' Wife Stuck with Him for the Sake of the Kids

August 15, 2008 -
National Enquirer: More Dirt on Edwards to Come