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Davis Turner / Reuters file
Former U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful and former U.S. Senator John Edwards.
Updated at 6:54 p.m. ET: HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. -- John Edwards' former mistress has settled a lawsuit and won ownership of a purported sex tape of the former presidential candidate during his bid for the White House.
Copies of the tape will be destroyed within 30 days, The Associated Press reported.
A spokesperson for Rielle Hunter told ABC11 the agreement returns the "disputed property" to Hunter and declared the settlement a victory.
"Ms. Hunter is very pleased. She won," RoseMarie Terenzio told WTVD-TV in Raleigh.
Hunter filed suit against a former Edwards aide, Andrew Young, in 2010 over ownership of several items, including a purported sex video that Hunter claimed she made in 2006 while working for Edwards.
Jim R. Bounds / AP file
Rielle Hunter and her child leave the Terry Sanford Federal Building and Courthouse in Raleigh, N.C
Hunter lived with the Youngs in 2007, while she was pregnant with Edwards' baby.
In a court settlement filed Thursday, the Youngs agreed to give up their claim on the property, which has been held in the vault of a North Carolina courthouse. The Youngs also agreed not to talk publicly about the tape or the other items, which include photos of Hunter with the child and a list of names titled "The Slut Club."
"We are extremely pleased to have this case resolved. There were no 'winners' as such, in that each side had returned back to it that which it believed was its own property, although it was mutually agreed that certain materials should, per the court's order, be destroyed," the Youngs said in a statement.
"It has been suggested that one purpose of this lawsuit was an effort to intimidate and harass Andrew and Cheri Young who are expected to be witnesses in the criminal prosecution of Ms. Hunter's paramour, John Edwards. If that was in fact the case, it has failed miserably," the statement said.
"Notably, notwithstanding the outlandish efforts of Ms. Hunter's legal counsel to try to paint Mr. and Mrs. Young as liars and thieves, nothing could be further from the truth -- as is unequivocally evidenced by this settlement agreement."
Andrew Young previously described the intimate tape in his tell-all book about how Edwards hid his mistress and child amid the 2008 White House campaign.
According to testimony in the lawsuit, the ribbon of tape had been pulled out of the cassette in an apparent attempt to destroy it. Andrew Young manually wound the tape back into the cassette so he couple play it in Hunter's video camera, which she had also left.
Young said he kept the tape as security and proof of his story while declining large financial offers for the video.
"There's a reason nobody's ever seen the tape," Young said in February 2010 outside a courthouse after a hearing.
The settlement does not address a pending contempt of court case against the Youngs and two of their attorneys for providing copies of items that had been under seal to federal officials investigating Edwards for campaign finance violations.
Edwards was indicted on six felony and misdemeanor counts last year related to nearly $1 million provided by two wealthy donors that was used to help hide his mistress from the public. Edwards served a single term in the U.S. Senate before becoming the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2004.
NBC News' Lisa Myers and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News
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When will a copy of the tape show-up on the internet?
...maybe larry flint will offer 1 million dollars for the tape.
I have one thing to say to John Edwards --- PIG!!!
Would you really WANT to see a sex tape starring these two pigs??!
edwards should be ashamed .
I'd fap.
Hot in Miami, you finally posted something with which I can agree.
Edwards is a skirt-chasing slime bag and Hunter is a slut.
To Elizabeth, rest in peace and God bless your soul. I hope the Lord watches over your children to protect them always.
Bootleg copies will show up, just like the Tommy Lee/Pamela Anderson tape. Unlike TL/PA, the Edwards tape will make about $1.35.
We hope never..........
Is Rielle and John still together?
Everytime I see/hear their names mentioned I want to puke.
I hope that S O B gets the book thrown at him.
You know the mistress is going to get paid now, one way or the other.
That's pretty cold though ---- she will put John Edwards up against the world, and to whoever might wish to outbid him, to get their hands on that tape.
Frankly, who wants to see it anyway? His time has come & gone, as has Elizabeth, rest her soul-as far as skanky girl, by the looks of her photos, her time has come & gone as well-hope she got @!$%# tons of cash-she's done
We all read the entire article searching for all the juicy details, then call them names....ummm, ahhh...never mind - I have no comment after all...I was never here.
Wondering if John Edwards' hair piece is stuck on his cranium, during the sex tape. He never has fly away hair---
Phony baloney--The world will be able to see the tape, but all I can think about is this gigolo left his wife, Elizabeth when she was dying of cancer.
Rielle Hunter is going to make a fortune selling it; embarassment for Edwards is his punishment. It will be in the "R" rated Movie Theaters--buy your tickets now, or watch it viral on the Internet.. Barf.
Presidential hopeful. Really...
You beat me to it... Definitely presidential material here. :-p
Why is man considered a Pig, in almost all these proceeding? As the party with much to lose and the more noted public reputation - his marital status is public record.
It seems reasonable that any female with amorous intentions can harbor no illusion, regardless of his claims of "true Love", "Been in a marriage of convenience..", - ignorance is no excuse, when the facts are easily discernible ... just pick up a newspaper.
But - he is a pig and He should know better... She is guiltless? Short of Rape with violence - how can anyone assume its always the males fault?
My disgust for John Edwards is pretty much irrevocable - but that is outside of this claim that he is at fault for availing himself of the services of a woman of easy virtue. Its way past time that those who hold the "treasure" should also have responsibility for maintaining its security.
Can't we all agree that "Just say, No" and "No Means, No" - provides all the rights to the woman that she needs... again - with the exception of Rape with violence.
So much like Newt Gingrich yet Gingrich is running for President? Clearly the far right is much more forgiving!
Here's what I don't get. First, the givens: Edwards was in politics with a big election coming up, and serious ambitions (maybe the presidency one day?).
He was conducting an illicit affair while his wife, mother of their four children, was stoically dying of cancer.
One day during this, Rielle the paramour, who's handy with a camera, has a novel idea: "Listen, Darling...why don't we videotape ourselves making whoopy?"
And Edwards says, "Hey, that sounds like a great idea!"
my god he would have made an excellent president for the democrats.
...where is john edwards these days !
@keck - don't EVEN start that crap! There has not been one Democrat in Washington or anywhere else that has come to the defense of this pig and what he did to his family.
@Kat
Yea but they sure came to the defense of Clinton concerning sex with an intern in the Oval Office and the cigar as a sex toy.
collection a big pension
In defense of non smokers, if I may be so bold to speak for the rest of them, it's the only way to make a cigar smell good.
Yea but that was clinton. We all knew he was a "playa". And cigars don't smell that bad.
both parties have had their fair share of sex scandals. Please don't even make that partisan. It means that people are flawed.
Stonepipe- would that be tuna flavored?
Larry- went downstairs and Seinfeld happened to be on-Kramer had Jerry bring back some Cubans, to roll cigars but ended up rolling crepes. Small world. Judge, actually some cigar smoke isn't bad but a lot must be made from dried camel dung. Good evening and good luck.
If Clinton used that cigar on her azz it may have smelled really crappy.
I wonder what Newt was thinking when he went after Clinton with Ken Starr. Was Newt jealous because Clinton had one upped him with his desire to group sex? We are the laughing stock of Europe with our Victorian view on sexuality. It was really embarrassing while I was in Europe during the Clinton/Newt/Starr witch hunt. Every European I met or had discussions with would bring up the insanity of the spending of millions of dollars over someones personal life antics that did not affect the management of the country while his tormentor was pulling off the same shenanigans. When do people in this country begin to move on when it comes to human sexuality and personal choices and focus on the real issues facing this country?
Wrong.
People, of all political persuasions came to the defense of the principle that what two adults - chose to do voluntarily is not an issue of public derision or notoriety. Especially when the services provided were consensual.
Nothing which occurred between them was illegal - I'll agree it tinged on immorality ... but given that the separation of State and religion is paramount in our government ... his marital vows were not, should not and could not be used as the source of the investigation.
The offense, as it were - was no more onerousthan picking your nose in an inappropriate venue. It warranted nothing more than off camera accountability with his wife. Not a half billion dollar investigation which started with a preconceived goal of removing a seated president for something less than a lack of manners.
I was more appalled by the previous President and his son, who followed - blowing chunks at a state dinner. That was shameful... how can you not know you are about to blow chunks while seated at the Dias? Now that is real breech of Protocol!
Why didn't the Judge destroy the tape in public and then have the Youngs and Hunter under perjury charges swear there are no other copies? If anything showed up, ever, slam them all in prison. The Youngs are just as guilty in this entire escapade for harboring that woman in their home. They knew Elizabeth. Yet.... Andrew was CONVINCED that he could keep this all secret and get his man elected as President! He even had his wife and children in on this. Shame on them. Shame on anyone that facilitates this kind of deceitful behavior. I am curious... does Rielle still see that AURA around John?? Does she still think he can rule the world?? Now that she and the love child are not going to be one big happy with John under the roof of the White House, is she still a devoted folliower of his?
keck - and yet the far right is running Gingrich! Can you say hypocrite????
Keck my friend... the dems don't have the market covered when it comes to sex scandle..... Ours just tend to me more hetero than homo... :-)
Rielle is just a gold digger. She got more than a million for sleeping with and getting pregnant by Edwards (he is an idiot). Now she has the tape. Maybe she will start shopping it around.. I'm sure there are enough people who would pay money to see Edwards sticking it to her... NOT....
yes, jim mcgreevy was so hetero....
tend to be not always ......
Hey Keck, HW Bush is a pedophile, W is gay, Perry is bi sexual, Lott is gay, Crist is gay, McCain is gay, Jim Thompson is gay, Foley is gay, Nixon was bi sexual, Kissinger is gay, Craig is gay, Walker is gay, Ryan is gay, and the list goes on and on. Please state all the gay Democrats you know of. It will be hard to match the number on this list.
Why isn't the corrupt crook Edwards in prison?
Well, Avg Joe, unless being a POS is against the law, I thought you had to do something illegal to go to prison. Even John Edwards is entitled to due process. Now, all they have to do is prove that he used campagin funds to cover up his affair, and they got him. Don't hold your breath, though, unfortunately, this POS has enough money to pay off everybody involved.
There's a little thing called karma waiting for John Edwards. I hate to wish bad luck on anybody, but this is one pig who dserves it.
Anyone who has followed this story has it figured out that he did convert campaign funds to support his whore ( sorry did I say that out loud?) and their love child. The fact that he was cheating on his cancer stricken wife who had supported his a$$ whole heartily only makes him a POS. He like a lot of our politicians hold themselves above the rest of us and play loose with the laws and financing that we go to prison for for breaking. The Whore (sorry, Mistress) was and has always been in this for the money and will make out handsomely. Ain't life grand for those of us that live by the rules and have to sit by and watch crooked politicians and their minions get off scot free.
Maybe he found forgiveness through Jesus like Newt did. Mrs. Newt (or the "whore" as you so appropriately said) thinks she should be first lady. lol.
AS a Democrat i say what a pig this Edwards is,I hope they drag him down the road until there is not much left of him, they can use my old truck for this if they need one, the mistress however is going to make money out of this, and dear Newt and his mistress are not any better, what a tress we have walking around trying to get in the White- House.
Because he has paid of the popo!
Three years to go to trial is not due process.
Now the horse killing b#tch can sell it herself.
Tape released to the highest bidder in 5...4...3..........
I can't imagine why anyone would want to see a sex tape of these two. It's nauseating enough to see them with their clothes on.
EX- mistress? I thought he was with her now that his wife died.
He could be a porn star.
I'd take him for a spin.
who gives a rats ass
Hunter is an educated, intelligent woman who managed to not get pregnant for over 40 years of her life. I can't help but wonder if this pregnancy was planned, if not by them as a couple, at least by her as an individual.
Now I wonder how long it is going to take her to sell this tape.
I couldn't care less if John Edwards is embarrassed and humiliated - he deserves it - but his children to do not.
I'll never forget how she actually had the nerve to blame Edwards wife for the affair. She a very cold, calculating woman for sure.
they're both assh****...
Well if Hunter was completely edited out of the tape then you would have something worth viewing! I am sure I would go through endless bottles of lube watching that film.
Where's the Tape! Where's the Tape! I wanna see!
No you don't Trust me you just don't want to.
Another torrid news item about a sleazy, fallen politician. zzzzzzzzz......
who cares anything about John Edwards sex tape you talk about a P-I-G he is one and I am sorry his so called girlfriend, mother of his child is no better. HMM wonder if they marry if she will have to go through the same thing when that pig has sex with another woman and we are talking about another tape out there John Edwards and Rielle Hunter please go the way of Casey Anthony AWAY
'Ex'-mistress.... must have been 'true' love... Not!
Ok.... Then greedy opportunists at the least. They all screwed Elizabeth and her children, each and every one of them so I'd say they are all certifiable members of 'The Slut Club.' A person is judged by how they treat the opposite sex and children. These folks are all going to hell in a handbasket. I feel sorry for the bastard child who has and will continue to be used as a tool for these criminals.
Where are we going and why am i in this handbasket?
John Edwards typical democrap and I'm not referring to his cheating on his cancer stricken wife. This guy must be as dumb as a rock. I'm running for President so let me tape myself diddling my mistress for posterity. LOL
I think the first sentence is over reaching, fully agree with the second sentence.
Well, I could list the republicans that have been caught in sex scandals but Newsvine has a word limit.
Why is this news?
News (def): . Information about recent events or happenings. A presentation of such information, as in a newspaper or on a newscast.
Everything the media deems as "news," is.
Maybe John Edwards needed to emotionally mend a hole in his heart with a baby girl. Bet nobody ever thought of that.
Never had anything remotely presidential beyond nice hair.
I hope he goes bald!
What were they thinking? He's nasty and so is she! All that loose skin would make me puke.
whore.
LOL A man cheats on his wife and allows a video to be made? What if he became president?
My point is simple: There are undesireables running for President. Gingrich, Romney. gingrich has had several calls from cheaters looking for a exclusive episode. Romney has gotten threats from animal rights activists and a warning from the SPCA stating you can not put your dog on the roof of your car in a crate. Somehow Sanatorium reminds me of a funeral director. I also think Ron Paul and Ross Perot are soul mates,I do like Rons plan to closes the gates and withdraw all our forces from everywhere,become isolationists but the outcome would be uncertainty.
What about the undesirable President we have now that has a male lover he brought from Chicago when he was a senator and now the guy serves in his administration?
Whoa. Corroborate that, please. Who and when and where and how exactly did you come to know this? Really.
they're both pigs..they deserve each other.
YUp!
Ms. Hunter needs the settlement, just until she can get back on her back . Former Senator Edwards you have just learned a lesson forest animals already know, DON'T GET TO CLOSE TO HUNTERS ! To aad it is going to destroyed. I heard Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich wanted copies
Capaleen - Kind of hard on the pigs aren't you ? There are some things they won't do for money, or to get to be in charge of the other pigs ! AND THEY NEVER VIDEOTAPE
Jim Ledden, that's only because no one ever gives them a camera.
I guess you had to be there to understand the moment.