John Edwards has landed in a heap of hot water.

A federal grand jury has indicted the former presidential hopeful for misusing campaign funds to try and cover up his love child with Rielle Hunter.

The North Carolina grand jury charged Edwards with six counts of violating federal election contributions laws allegeding that $1 million was used for Hunter’s living and travel expenses to keep her out of the way of the press.

Prosecutors also said donations were made in excess of the individual donor limits and were not properly reported.

“We will not permit candidates for high office to abuse their special ability to access the coffers of their political supporters to circumvent our election laws,’’ said Lanny A. Breuer, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

“Our campaign finance system is designed to preserve the integrity of democratic elections — for the presidency and all other elected offices — and we will vigorously pursue abuses of the kind alleged today.”

Edwards, 57, is due in court this afternoon in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and will enter a plea of not guilty, according to his legal counsel.

“John Edwards will tell the court he is innocent of all charges, and will plead not guilty. He did not break the law and will mount a vigorous defense,” Gregory Craig, lead counsel to Edwards said in a statement.

The revelation of Edwards’ extra marital affair and subsequent child ruined his political aspirations and his marriage broke apart shortly thereafter.

Edwards’ estranged wife, Elizabeth, died in December of 2010 after succumbing to cancer.

[image: Joseph Marzullo/WENN]

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