Washington (CNN) — Former Democratic vice presidential nominee and two-time presidential candidate John Edwards was indicted by a federal grand jury today on six counts, including conspiracy, issuing false statements, and violating campaign contribution laws.
If convicted on all counts, the former North Carolina senator would face up to 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1.5 million.
Edwards is scheduled to appear in federal court in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, at 2:30 p.m. ET, according to a Justice Department official.
Edwards’ attorney, Greg Craig, said his client will plead not guilty. Edwards “did not break the law and will mount a vigorous defense,” Craig declared in a written statement.
A grand jury has been investigating whether money given to support Edwards’ mistress, Rielle Hunter, by benefactors of Edwards should have been considered campaign donations, a contention Edwards’ team has disputed.
Prosecutors allege that Edwards improperly accepted over $900,000 as part of an effort to conceal facts he believed would damage his White House bid.
Plea discussions had been ongoing between Edwards’ defense lawyers and federal prosecutors, but no agreement was reached. Edwards had not wanted to plead guilty to a felony because he could lose his law license, a source familiar with the inquiry previously told CNN.
