Rielle Hunter Rules Out Participating In A Paternity Test

WASHINGTON — The ex-mistress of former presidential candidate John Edwards said Saturday she will not participate in DNA testing to establish the paternity of her daughter.

Rielle Hunter's lawyer, Robert Gordon, says his client is a private individual who is not running for public office and that she wishes to maintain the privacy of her and her daughter.

"Rielle is therefore making no statement now or in the future," Gordon said in a statement. "Furthermore, Rielle will not participate in DNA testing or any other invasion of her or her daughter's privacy now or in the future."

On Friday, Edwards admitted to having an extramarital affair with Hunter in 2006 but denied that he was the father of Hunter's 5-month-old daughter. Edwards offered to take a paternity test to prove he is not the father.

Hunter's decision means that the issue of who the father is remains an open question.

Hunter's daughter, Frances Quinn Hunter, was born on Feb. 27 this year, and no father's name is given on the birth certificate filed in California.

A former Edwards campaign staff member professes to be the father.

Edwards, a former North Carolina senator who was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2004, confessed to ABC News that he had lied repeatedly about the affair with Hunter, then 42, who produced videos for Edwards as he prepared to launch his presidential campaign.

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In an interview which aired on ABC's "Nightline" on Friday night, Edwards said he would be willing to take a paternity test to put the issue to rest but wasn't sure whether Hunter would be willing to.

"I am and have been willing to take any test necessary to establish the fact that I am not the father of any baby, and I am truly hopeful that a test will be done so this fact can be definitively established," Edwards said.

The National Enquirer first reported on the affair in October 2007, in the run-up to the Democratic primaries, and Edwards denied it.

Last month, the Enquirer carried another story _ the blaring headline referred to an Edwards "love child" _ stating that its reporters had accosted Edwards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles where he had met with Hunter after her child's birth. Edwards called it "tabloid trash."

In her statement Friday, Elizabeth Edwards said it wasn't easy to find out about the extramarital affair in 2006 but indicated she did not believe that her husband was the father of Hunter's daughter.

"This was our private matter, and I frankly wanted it to be private because as painful as it was I did not want to have to play it out on a public stage as well," she said. "Because of a recent string of hurtful and absurd lies in a tabloid publication, because of a picture falsely suggesting that John was spending time with a child it wrongly alleged he had fathered outside our marriage, our private matter could no longer be wholly private."

Edwards declared his presidential candidacy in December 2006. His wife campaigned enthusiastically with him and by herself in the months that followed. She announced in March 2007 that her cancer, formerly in remission, had returned and there apparently was no cure.

Edwards dropped out midway through this year's primaries. He recently endorsed Barack Obama and had been mentioned as a possible running mate. But as rumors spread of Edwards' possible affair it became clear that he would not likely speak at the Democratic National Convention later this month in Denver.

Comments

[MyrtleJune]

I have quesitons. Mostly I have a question about why in hell what John McCain did to his first wife and family is all just fine and dandy? And he's the nominee not a failed attempted nominee.

[justobserve]

Exactly! Edwards is not the first politician to have an affairs, or like Bill Clinton, affairs. We should let the Edwards to sort out their private matter.

[All57States]

I get that it's a private matter, however it puts politicians in spot for extortion. If John Boy won the nomination or was VP, how much would the monthly stipen to Richelle be, $50k/month? It also creates the situation where, "Senator, if you don't vote the way we like, we have photos, emails, etc that could somehow make their way to the media" That is why politicians can't put themselves in these positons.

[phae100]

Exactly, MyrtleJune. What McCain did is no more fine and dandy than this. Its our responsibility to point this out as often as we can and get the McCain affair into the national dialogue. His affair and the character issues it brings up, is much more relevant to America politics than Edwards's.

[mamezam]

i also found it odd, when he said that his campaign finance director would absolutely pay the woman to protect him Edward. He shoudl have acted surprised that he would be ready to commit such an act. Overall I believe, whetehr he had an affair or not is not really the issue here. But it becomes our business, if he hired her on the basis of their relationship as it seems to have been the case and also the fact that he was still wiling to run for president even when knowing that this might come out to ruin his chances and also the lies. Form my opinion, he should say I had an affair and it is not any peson business. so it is somewhat the public business

[LeftLeanWing]

J o h n . E d w a r d s ........

W r a p . up . y o u r . P e r c o l a t o r .

T h e n . e v e n . t h e . t i m i n g . w o u l d . n o t . b e . a n . i s s u e

[KaylaL]

It's rather suspicious how eagerly Edwards expressed willingness to take a paternity test, but then added that he wasn't the only one involved in the decision. He was almost giving us a preview of what Hunter was going to do.

[LeftLeanWing]

I agree.......

This was discussed and planned. I just think it awfully convenient that an Edward's staff member would take the responsibility for fathering this child. Was this staff member the backup D*ck ?

[jsinclair]

That's one of the most repulsive parts. Because the staff member has a wife and three children of his own.

If Edwards is having him take the fall--and the consequences in his OWN family that Edwards was unwilling to take in HIS--that's another level of "morally repulsive narcissist".

He's still lying--to Elizabeth, obviously, and to the public. I don't feel sorry for him and Hunter--lie upon lie, betrayal upon betrayal--they deserve the "hassle" this is causing in their (still-ongoing) romance.

[All57States]

If she wants to keep the $15k/month coming, she better not have the paternity test.

[lovethesinner]

Now the story has legs. The book deal is getting signed as we GAWK.

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

I don't feel sorry for her at all. She new he was a married man.

[KarenJW]

Who is asking you to empathize with her? Keep in mind......­.........H­E is the one who is married, not her! They both will have to live with the consequences of their decisions.

[LorettaSingbiel]

"I don't feel sorry for her at all. She new he was a married man."

Just as you don't feel sorry for Cindy as well ... and won't give her husband your vote to prove it?

I mean, afterall, since cheating husbands AND homewrecking mistresses so disgust you ... than there's only one man to vote for as our next President.

OBAMA '08!
HOPE & CHANGE!

[rgille]

I thought it was odd when John Edwards made the point repeatedly in the ABC interview that he'd be so very happy to take a paternity test. Now suddenly Hunter says she won't allow it. Why am I not surpised? So far, Hunter has been given a $3 million house and $15,000 a month, according to reports. Does anyone else think that might be a reason she's not allowing the test? The putative father, a former Edwards staffer, has apparently been given a $4 million house. As Anderson Cooper says, this does not pass the smell test. I really hope the mainstream media does its job and hunts this one down. The man abused the trust of everyone who supported him, and there will continue to be repercussions for the current election cycle until this is fully resolved.

[KaylaL]

I know!! And yet we have Hunter's own sister insisting that Edwards take a test, and rumors that Hunter really believes Edwards is the father! Sooo suspicious; the first thing I thought when I saw this is oh they totally paid her to shut up.

[zakwouldhave]

rgille...do you have any sources for the houses and the $15,000 monthly payment? Your post does not pass the smell test.

[KaylaL]

They said on the interview that Edward's campaign finance manager helped her pay for the house and gave her 15,000 dollars. They said it in the interview and on Countdown. Trust me this is common knowledge by now.

[KaylaL]

Let me add, they didn't know if the exact amount was 15,000 but confirmed that his campaign finance chair was giving her money.

[PinaPopper]

Funny how he says this affair ended in 2006. Then why exactly was he visiting Rielle and the baby at that hotel at 2 am?? hmmm

[klandish]

Exactly! Why no one but your blog has mentioned this is unbelievable. Edwards story is swiftly coming apart.

[laurenc]

Because he was asked to be there to discuss keeping the affair quiet. Because they promised he would never be alone with her. That's what he said, and if the right-wing funded Enquirer hadn't been there, maybe the discussion would have succeeded. Remember readers, they did this to MLK JR, then leaked the pictures to his wife. Anyone opposing Big Oil and the big drug companies, absolutely will be stalked. And yet we celebrate MLK day, because it's about the causes not the infidelity, right?

[Glooscap]

I cannot believe that Rielle Hunter actually thinks that she has any right to privacy in this matter. As for the child, I believe that she needs her own representation to seek resolution of her paternity --- it is her absolute right and the sooner the better.

[callingbs]

A classy move on her part. This is a personal matter, and it's "NOT" any of the public's business (irregardless of Edwards position). The public can all choose to believe whatever they want., but all the decisions should be between the 2 families involved. Let them work things out, in their own ways.

[ayiticherie]

Hmmm. Somehow I don't associate anything classy with Reille Hunter.

[Ndw]

"Class" has nothing to do with this one.

[stickNmove]

I beg to differ. From the participants to the spectators there's more than enough "class" to go around--and it's all low.

[GretaR]

Maybe John Edwards said "I'd like to tap that class" and Real Hunter thought that he said "tap that ass". So, see, it really isn't anyone's fault...well, except the education system for not preaching better enunciation of words...oh, and rap music.

[KaylaL]

Classy is not something I associate with adulterers who sleep with men whose wives are suffering from breast cancer. I would believe money had more to do with this move than class.

[pupbayer]

No joke. Classy doesn't come into this. Money? Now that's a different matter.

[marymansour]

Kayla, I agree in part, but women who sleep with other people's husbands in general - lack class.

[LorettaSingbiel]

"Classy is not something I associate with adulterers who sleep with men whose wives are suffering from breast cancer."

And what was Cindy's "classy" reason for sleeping with McCain?

[KarenJW]

Irregardless is NOT a word!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!

[marymansour]

[Origin: 1910–15; ir-2 (prob. after irrespective) + regardless]


—Usage note Irregardless is considered nonstandard because of the two negative elements ir- and -less. It was probably formed on the analogy of such words as irrespective, irrelevant, and irreparable. Those who use it, including on occasion educated speakers, may do so from a desire to add emphasis. Irregardless first appeared in the early 20th century and was perhaps popularized by its use in a comic radio program of the 1930s.

[KillBillV2]

Edwards is lying AGAIN. He/or someone who works for him paid her off already so she won't take test to prove he is the father. He already knows he is the father and that they continued their relationship well after 2006. They paid that other guy Andrew who works for Edwards to claim he is the father even though all parties involved know the truth.

He is still lying and in that Abc interview it's obvious. He's a lawyer, just listen to how he tries to get out of answering the hard questions.

[mairs]

I wouldn't be surprised if you're right.

[klandish]

You're so right. This whole thing reeks!

[LorettaSingbiel]

"They paid that other guy Andrew who works for Edwards to claim he is the father even though all parties involved know the truth."

Well then I hope the amount Edwards paid Andrew is MORE than the amount Andrew's wife will take him to the cleaners with.

What makes NO SENSE to me is WHY would Edwards pay to keep the paternity a secret FOREVER? Wouldn't it be more cost-productive for him to either prove or disprove himself the father?

[Boadicea]

Poor John. He's caught between his mistress and his wife. He's probably lied to both.

I wonder what he told Elizabeth he was doing two weeks ago at the Beverly Hills Hotel, in the middle of the night .

[Rashomon]

I think a lot of people here protest too much.
Just because she doesn't want to take a paternity test doesn't me that SHE doesn't know who the father is. Therefore, I am sure her daughter will one day know. But she wants to retain that privacy right. And, frankly, she has that right - despite what Edwards might be able to do in some court somewhere to force her. Also if she wants to get money out of Edwards she would probably need to have a test taken. The fact that she doesn't might mean that he is not the father.

[GuyFawkes]

If she wants to get money out of Edwards??

She's gotten $110,000, plus $15,000/month since this whole sordid affair started. She apparently lives in a multi million dollar home, but hasn't had a job since she left his campaign.

The Dallas businessman who's been paying her the $15,000/month out of the goodness of his heart, completely rings as b.s. -- if he was just helping out a friend, why would he move her into such an expensive house?

All of this reeks of hush money.

[LorettaSingbiel]

"She's gotten $110,000, plus $15,000/month since this whole sordid affair started. She apparently lives in a multi million dollar home, but hasn't had a job since she left his campaign."

So then WHY wouldn't she agree to authorize the paternity test? Wouldn't you think she'd stand to gain a WHOLE LOT MORE from proving Edwards impregnated her? He'd then be LEGALLY responsible for the welfare of her and their child...

... unless a paternity test would prove otherwise?

[Cynth]

Yes, there are many reasons not to take the test. Not to mention that they can always choose to take the test privately and/or after the storm dies down. Let's not forget that there are innocent people involved here: Elizabeth, her children, and the child in question. I can understand why they and their guardians wouldn't want to have the test taken under the public eye, and we should respect that.

[vegasobserver]

A judge can order a paternity test on the daughter regardless of what Rielle Hunter wants.

All Edwards or Young have to do is petition a judge to order a paternity test to disprove (or prove, as the case may be) their paternity.

It's a very simple proposition for Edwards, and as a trial lawyer he should know that.

If he wants to demonstrate to the world that he is not the father of this child, all he has to do is file a petition in the local court where Rielle lives, to ask for a court-mandated paternity test.

The judge will have to grant the petition, because the fate of the child (and financial responsibility for the child) is not solely up to Rielle Hunter.

If paternity isn't established, Hunter can extort money from Edwards, Young, or someone else, with a false claim that they are the father.

But using her unwillingness to permit a paternity test as an excuse for not resolving this issue is a non-starter, and the media should demand Edwards petitions the court for a DNA test of the baby to rule out his fathering the child 100%.

That is, if Edwards is telling the truth...

[GeoLee]

I don't think the media or any person besides Edwards or Hunter or Young has the right or obligation to DEMAND a DNA test be done and frankly the only time the government should be involved at all is if the mother ends up on the public dole and no child support is being paid. Otherwise, it is time for this issue to stop making the front page. Period. What the men choose to do in order to protect themselves in really none or your, mine or HuffPo's business.

[vegasobserver]

No, a father has an absolute right to assert his parental authority over a child.

A child has TWO parents, and anyone who is under a cloud of suspicion for having fathered a child is entitled to having a court MANDATE that a DNA test be done to clear up the issue.

That's right, the right to petition a court to demand a DNA test be done. A court has 100% right and justification to order such a test.

John Edwards has the absolute right to petition a court to do so, and the court must grant such a demand, or have a very powerful reason to deny it.

The mother does not have the right to unilaterally shield the child's paternity.

If John Edwards hides behind Rielle Hunter's request that a DNA test not be done, he is committing a fraud on the public and his family.

Personally, I suspect that Edwards may well have fathered the child, and may be somehow paying Hunter indirectly, by back-channels, to obstruct a DNA test.

Edwards' motive for this is to protect his wife and kids from further hurt.

If he is the father, that means his sexual relationship with Hunter extended well beyond the time he asserts it ended.

If all of the above is true, this gives Edwards the opportunity to publicly say he's willing to undergo a paternity test, without fearing that one will actually be done anytime soon.

[Alessan]

And even if he's the father, he'll own child support and that's it. Both parents are needed for
the DNA test.

[vegasobserver]

Both parents AREN'T needed for the DNA test.

It's assumed the baby is hers, since she gave birth to the baby in the hospital, and her name is on the birth certificate as the mother.

The father's paternity can be determined separately, by DNA testing both the father and the child.

If the baby's DNA matches Edwards', and not Young's, then it is Edwards' baby.

There is no need to look at Rielle Hunter's DNA, because a baby's DNA will show evidence of both biological parents independently. A person's DNA is not a scramble of both parents' DNA, but a discrete mixture of 1/2 the DNA of the father, and 1/2 the DNA of the mother.

[pattyrenee]

How convenient for John Edwards. He volunteers to take a DNA test, then, the mother, says no.
How much did that pay out for Rielle? Must have been millions to deprive her daughter the knowledge of who her father really is....but justice for the baby will come someday when she insists on knowing who her father is.....John Edwards is playing against all odds, by keeping this major secret hidden from Elizabeth and his children.
The baby girl will find out some day that he threw her under the bus.
It would have cleared his name if he isn't the father. He would rather have gossip about him and the baby for the rest of his life rather than come clean. Rielle would have the DNA if John Edwards needed it for his reputation. How stupid do they think we are? I am SO disappointed in John Edwards. I thought he was a better man than this continuing denial and lies of such a personal nature for a baby girl.

[roberto328]

BABY: "Mommy, who is Daddy?"
RH: "Ssshhh, Don't you ever, ever, ask that question again, why honey don't you know it's always all about me when your older I'll show you how not to have any skills and still get money from dumb men..."
BABY: "Well why does everyone say our last name is golddigger?
RH:"Because they are just jealous."

[ayiticherie]

Hilarious.

[mairs]

Rielle, meet Heather Mills, your superior. She got her mark to marry her.

[LeftLeanWing]

Heather does have a leg up on Reille