RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Former Sen. John Edwards, a two-time presidential candidate, has testified under oath in a lawsuit over a videotape that purportedly depicts him in a sexual encounter, a lawyer for a former Edwards aide said.
Robert Elliot, the lawyer, said Mr. Edwards was deposed last week as part of a dispute between former Edwards aide Andrew Young and Mr. Edwards’ mistress, Rielle Hunter. Mr. Elliot declined to discuss the content of the testimony. A judge said last year he didn’t want the details discussed publicly and warned both sides that he could hold people in contempt if the deposition material is talked about outside of the case.
Ms. Hunter has sued Mr. Young to reclaim materials, including a video that Mr. Young has said depicts a sexual encounter involving Mr. Edwards and a woman he assumes to be Ms. Hunter. Mr. Young has said he helped cover up the affair and contends the tape was found amid trash Ms. Hunter left behind in a home he was renting.
Meanwhile, a separate federal criminal investigation in Raleigh has called several people in recent months to testify before a grand jury. People familiar with the case have said investigators are examining how much Mr. Edwards knew about money used to cover up his affair and whether he violated campaign finance laws. The investigation is particularly focused on whether money given to Ms. Hunter and Mr. Young should have been considered campaign donations.
Ms. Hunter worked in 2006 as a videographer for Mr. Edwards’ political action committee, shooting behind-the-scenes footage as the Democrat prepared to launch his second White House campaign. Mr. Edwards acknowledged a year ago that he fathered a child with Ms. Hunter, though Mr. Young initially had claimed paternity so Mr. Edwards could continue his campaign.
Attorneys for Mr. Edwards have said they are confident he did not violate campaign finance laws.
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