John Edwards Trial Turns Tragedy Into Crime, Says Eliot Spitzer

As the John Edwards criminal trial entered its second day, Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer weighed in on the drama during a conference call about his new Current TV show.

Spitzer, who resigned from office in 2008 after he was caught buying prostitute services, is hesitant to criminalize Edwards, who is charged with several felonies relating to illegally accepting campaign funds to hide his extramarital affair.

Here is an excerpt from Spitzer's remarks, via ABC News:

This is an unfortunate tragedy of a story, where the jury, at the end of the day, will have to distinguish, based upon what will be very careful instructions from the judge, distinguish between a human tragedy and what may or may not be a crime. And I do not know the evidence or the law sufficiently to render an opinion on that. I have long thought that, especially because I was attorney general and governor, I should speak with some greater care with respect to ongoing litigations and trials, but I think the pivotal issue here is whether or not the Justice Department is properly -- or improperly; I want to be neutral in the way I phrase it -- turning a human tragedy into a crime.

Spitzer said he worries that the issues "will be fought over in the courtroom emotionally" rather than argued based on campaign finance laws.

On Tuesday, the former Edwards aide who once claimed paternity of his child took the witness stand. Andrew Young testified that he helped Edwards funnel money from a wealthy donor into an account used to hide Edwards' pregnant mistress.

The AP reports:

Young testified that Edwards' aides sought money from several people in 2007 to hide Rielle Hunter while Edwards was running for the 2008 presidential nomination.

Young says money from heiress Rachel "Bunny" Mellon started flowing in June 2007 with two checks totaling $35,000. Young says the money was deposited in a bank account controlled by him and his wife, Cheri.

Young says Edwards assured him the money was legal.

Comments

[nokaoi]

01:56 AM on 05/08/2012

dear spitzer, hopefully edwards actions were a crime.

[beautyandblack]

11:57 PM on 04/25/2012

The case drawn lot of public opinion and now the best is to dispose it as quickly as possible for the betterment of the society. so many opinion and comment that has been given on the article and otherwise needs no furthers comment or opinion.

[RunNewtRun]

06:52 PM on 04/25/2012

Andrew Young's book "The Politician" is a great read. I was awestruck by how he and his wife allowed his ambition to blind him to what Edwards asked him to do. Not just claiming paternity, but fixing things around the house, taking the children places, etc., like a nanny. Also, once you've read the book you will never see Elizabeth Edwards in the same light again, God rest her soul.

[Eric Israel Fogelgaren]

03:17 PM on 04/25/2012

Birds of a feather. Leave it to Spitzer to turn John Edwards into some kind of victim in a human tragedy. The legal issue isn't dependent on the sordid details of the events in question but whetther or not he illegally misappropriated money. I know that Spitzer, whose ego knows no bounds, thinks that rampant immorality is no one's business but those involved, and perhaps he is right in the respect that it is up to the people to decide if they want leaders to act like this or not. However, when it comes to illegally using campaign funds to cover up personal behavior, it becomes the people's business.To Spitzer, Weiner and Edwards there is no difference between the pepople's money and their's.

[roshni]

12:05 PM on 04/27/2012

Are you also going to include the GOP cheaters in your comment?

[VOLKS818]

01:37 PM on 04/25/2012

Just another politician ( both Edwards & Spitzer ) caught with their pants down ............
However, IMO, Spitzer "manned up" took responsibility for his actions and let
the situation play out ...............
Edwards, the jury is still out ...................

[Cherubim]

12:18 PM on 04/25/2012

I agree with Eliot Spitzer.

[Rothay]

10:36 AM on 04/25/2012

No Eliot Spitzer did not say that the trial turns tragedy into crime. Really, there should be some law or at least restraint regarding false and misleading headlines in the media. He referred to the worrisome possibility of the issues being adjudicated emotionally rather than as breach of finance laws. Does this fellow cheat truly believe that people divorce the one from the other in this case: campaign funds used to cover up Edwards' betrayal of his wife, a very sick wife? The question is moot, actually, since Spitzer emotionally betrayed family and friends - and constituents and with no remorse. That was enough for some. But not for others in the media, in the TV industry, who have given this worthless specimen of manhood a platform for his skewed thinking. And people watch him. And the press give him newspaper space. One sex rat giving his opinion on another.

[nadiine9]

10:15 AM on 04/25/2012

It's no wonder that people's respect and trust in Politicians is so low today. I realize they're human beings like the rest of us, but to hold a position in a high office means you have a higher standard to uphold. Responsibility and accountability are part of the job description imo.
Now we have Fed. agencies arrogantly abusing our tax dollars, Secret Service out soliciting hookers on the job....
It makes you wonder what else is going on that we dont' know about.
This country is in serious trouble with leadership like this.

[jeviga]

10:08 AM on 04/25/2012

There are two differences between Eliot Spitzer and John Edwards...

1. Spitzer was smart enough to wear a condom
2. Spitzer at least didn't lay down with ugly dogs

[jimcraigs]

10:05 AM on 04/25/2012

If John Edwards and Eliot Spitzer were REPUBLICANS, neither of them would be where they are today, because the Democrats have NO BALLS to go after their colleagues on the other side of the isle. Edwards is being prosecuted by a GWB appointee in an unpresidented case all about going after the Democrat. Another witch hunt just like the Clinton impeachment. If they were Republicans it all would have been swept under the carpet and no one would be in court and Eliot wouldn't have had to resign. Who do you think would have run the State of New York better, Eliot or Patterson??? Guess we found that out, didn't we?

[manmi1]

10:54 AM on 04/25/2012

Absolutely.

[duey35]

10:00 AM on 04/25/2012

Eliot should comment on the Secret service scandle as this is something he knows about.

[Peter Burbank]

09:37 AM on 04/25/2012

The Morally Superior Conservatives are in a frezied delight on this board, they bring "Slick Willie" and Anthony Weiner into the mix ... but they leave out David Vitter ... and Robert Packwood .... and let's not forget Wilbur Mills ... JFK ... and Thomas Jefferson while we're at it! ... I almost forgot NEWT! ... he fooled around a bit ... before he became a devoted Catholic! Rudy Guliani .. wasn't his current Wife once his Secretary! .... Wasn't Rush Limbaugh caught with Illegal Viagra when flying his Private Jet to The Dominican? ... Can you think of more! ... There has to be more!

[manmi1]

10:56 AM on 04/25/2012

Absolutely.... but cons will forgive anything and anyone with an "R" by their name.

[C Sample]

09:22 AM on 04/25/2012

What was the intent of the donor of these funds? When solicited for funds, did the woman believe ((and intend) that her contributions were political contributions, OR, was she fully aware that her monies would be used for 'personal expenses'?
John Edwards is a despicable human being but I'm not convinced that this case is criminal and that it should be a court case, using vast amounts of taxpayers money.

[VikkiS]

05:53 PM on 05/02/2012

Agreed & wondering how all this "high drama" stuff got in - seems a bit loose for a federal case.

[free reign]

08:49 AM on 04/25/2012

Women take Spitzer for what he's worth.
List of Spitzer "tragedies."
1. Spitzer getting caught with a hooker.
2. Edwards enterprising mistress getting pregnant. Her history of losing an expensive insured horse to intentional electrocution, and a freaked out ex should have warned him.
3. Secret Service men getting caught with their pants down, because they are so cheap, they wont pay their hookers.
Horrible tragedies. So sad.

[Tired Old Man]

08:44 AM on 04/25/2012

Eliot and John two men who must have dreams at night of what might have been. Now looked upon as two dirty old men one fighting to stay ourt of jail the other to remain relevent and both loosing.