John Edwards Affair

On August 8, 2008, ABC News reported that John Edwards admitted to having an affair with Rielle Hunter. In an interview for Nightline, Edwards said that although he was involved with Hunter, he did not love her and was not the father of her child, Frances Quinn Hunter. On August 13, 2008, the National Enquirer ran a story claiming that Edwards resumed his affair with Hunter after confessing the relationship to his wife, Elizabeth.ABC News: Edwards Admits Sexual Affair; Lied as Presidential... (August 8, 2008) National Enquirer: Sex, More Lies and Videotape (August 13, 2008)

The National Enquirer reported in late 2007 that former Senator John Edwards was involved with Hunter—a former employee of his 2008 presidential campaign—in an extramarital affair that had yielded a "love child." Edwards denied the reports.New York Daily News: John Edwards denies tabloid charge of affair (October 12, 2007) National Enquirer: Update: John Edwards Love Child Scandal (December 19, 2007)

On July 22, 2008, John Edwards was intercepted by Enquirer reporters while making a late-night trip to the Beverly Hilton. It was verified that Rielle Hunter was staying at the hotel at the time. According to the subsequent Enquirer report, though Edwards did not answer any questions, he was observed going to great lengths to enter and exit the hotel without being seen.National Enquirer: Sen. John Edwards Caught With Mistress and Love Child! (July 22, 2008)

On July 23, 2008, Edwards was asked about the latest Enquirer allegations, while appearing at an event for the community organization ACORN.

• Questioner: "Senator, how do you feel about the situation in Los Angeles on Monday with regard to your future in politics and a potential Obama administration?"

• Edwards: "I don't know what you're... none. I don't...

• Questioner: "The National Enquirer story?"

• Edwards: "I don't talk about these tabloids. They're tabloid trash, just full of lies."Breitbart TV: Edwards Slams Enquirer Account of Rendezvous With Mistress (July 23, 2008)

On July 24, 2008, two National Enquirer reporters filed a criminal complaint against security at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, California. Alan Butterfield and Alexander Hitchen claim hotel security tried to stop them from questioning John Edwards in the basement of the hotel on July 22, 2008. The Enquirer reported Edwards was at the hotel visiting his alleged mistress, Rielle Hunter, and their child.National Enquirer: John Edwards Affair: Criminal Complaint Filed (July 24, 2008)

On July 25, 2008, FOX News quoted a security guard as saying Edwards was in the Beverly Hilton on July 22, 2008. The unidentified guard claimed he escorted Edwards out of a restroom and past the Enquirer reporters around 2 a.m.. The guard says he didn't recognize Edwards until after the incident, when he was shown a photograph of the former North Carolina senator.FOXNews.com: Guard Confirms Late-Night Hotel Encounter Between Ex-Sen. John Edwards, Tabloid Reporters (July 25, 2008)