Edwards, Hunter say lawyers have no conflict
A federal court hearing Thursday will look into whether the latest attorneys to join John Edwards' criminal defense team have a conflict of interest after representing the former Democratic presidential candidate's mistress.
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Both Edwards and Rielle Hunter, who had an affair with the former U.S. senator during his 2008 bid for the White House, said in court filings Wednesday that there is no conflict of interest.
Lawyers Alan Duncan and Allison Van Liningham represented Hunter in her civil lawsuit against former Edwards aide Andrew Young over items she said Young and his wife took from her, including a purported videotape showing Edwards and Hunter engaged in sex.
Young and Hunter settled the suit last month, and the settlement called for the sex tape to be destroyed.
Edwards faces six criminal counts related to campaign finance violations over nearly $1 million from two wealthy donors used to hide the pregnant Hunter during the 2008 campaign. He has pleaded not guilty.
Federal prosecutors say it's very possible Hunter will be among the witnesses called to testify at Edwards' trial. Jury selection is to begin April 12.
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