Does John Edwards deserve a plea deal?
Having allegedly used presidential campaign funds to cover up a scandalous affair, Edwards is reportedly looking to avoid an embarrassing trial... for a price
Disgraced former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is reportedly seeking a plea deal before prosecutors charge him with using $1 million from wealthy donors to hide an affair with Rielle Hunter, the campaign videographer then pregnant with Edwards' child. Word is that the Justice Department has decided to formally indict the former North Carolina senator and 2004 vice presidential nominee. If Edwards can reach an agreement with prosecutors, he could avoid an embarrassing trial, but he'd likely have to give up his law license and maybe even spend some time behind bars. A fitting end to this scandal?
Edwards' fate should be decided in court: "Since when is a law license a 'get out of jail free' card?" says John Cole at Balloon Juice. Edwards' legal team apparently wants prosecutors to give Edwards a huge break because he would be sacrificing his livelihood to make this whole scandal go away. "You know who else loses their livelihood when they are found breaking the law? Everyone else on the planet." But you don't see regular guys avoiding messy trials by promising to stop delivering pizzas.
"Since when was a law license a get out of jail free card"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A plea deal would help prosecutors, too: Prosecutors might welcome a negotiated agreement as readily as Edwards would, says Emma Mustich at Salon. For the prosecution to prove Edwards' guilt, "Edwards must be proven to have knowingly used the money to 'further his presidential aspirations.'" That won't be easy, and a plea deal might be the best prosecutors can hope for.
"Federal indictment looms for John Edwards"
But a deal would be a letdown for the nation: A plea agreement "would suck for Edwards," says Nicole Fabian-Weber at The Stir, as it would force him to admit wrongdoing and swear off practicing law forever. But the man is "a first class low-life, who cheated on his cancer-stricken wife." Elizabeth Edwards had to endure unthinkable humiliation before she died. If Edwards avoids a long trial, the nation will miss out on the opportunity to watch him squirm, and that doesn't seem fair.
"Prosecuting John Edwards is too little, too late"
Edwards is the one getting unfair treatment: "Edwards is a cad and an opportunist and he did severe damage to his family and to those with whom he worked, not to mention people who voted for him in good conscience," says Prairie Weather. "But he is a mere speck of pond scum" compared to the parade of far more corrupt candidates and elected officials who have gone unpunished over the last three decades. You have to wonder what motive the Justice Department has for singling out Edwards.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published