I think it's a shell game... hard to prove anything,... just look at Ted Kennedy... let that girl die and still stayed in office till he died... they get to go by differnt rules.

IF the Mellon money was a gift then wouldn't she have had to file a gift tax return? You can't just give anyone money over $13,000 without doing so. Always follow the money but in this case "follow the tax return". Just a thought. He is still a scumbag.

Even Edward's lawyer admitted that his client was a scumbag, but that's not what this trial is about. Looks like Edwards will get the "not guilty" verdict, and well he should, all things considered.

Oceanview Only -

Typical dip wad who brings up the Kennedy thing. "Left her to die'? You were there? As unforgivable as Kennedy's response to the accident might have been, there is nor has there ever been any evidence that he left anyone to die.

And, a shell game? Look up the definition. Jeez, what a dolt!

Mary Jo's dead body in the car at the bottom of the creek with Ted back at the hotel room sleeping...that's not evidence he left her to die? Really?

LOL I'm sure Ted is looking down, or up, and is happy to see he still has defenders...

Oh right, J.Camp! The official records, which include a cell phone video of the whole incident, show that valiant Teddy-boy dove back in and searched underwater for hours for his little concubine. And probably, somebody else was driving, right? Afterall, Teddy-boy was a Kennedy, true American royalty, who would only do the noble and honorable thing!

Cell phone? I hope you are being sarcastic.

LO of Delray

I'm thinking the same thing. Who will pay the taxes on it? I doubt the checks were in Edwards name and again the victim will pay (this is in no way implying Trayvon was a victim if that's what you think I mean). Edwards is the scumbag that should pay and I hope will with his career.

LO - It was reported that gift tax returns were filed, see http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/26/nation/la-na-edwards-20110526

Confussed - What do you mean Edwards "will" pay with his career? He already has, in a big way. If it was not for this, he would have been AG, or another very high profile position in the Obama administration.

Camp no I wasn't there I was spending the evening traveling back and forth across a river on a ferry not knowing where I was hopping to be president. and a shell game is where you hide something under a shell and move it around hoping the other person cant guess where it is somewhat contributions you spend and then claim came from somewhere else, I sure even you can understand it you know hiding it.....

Attention :The stuff maker 25 Of course you are being very facetious aren't you ? "Ted" is not looking down from anywhere.

Likely he is running from the flames which would engulf his evil body and mind.

This cretin did almost as much damage to the US of A as did Bush (recent).

Simple, was a Form 709 Gift Tax Return filed ? If not, then it was not a gift. Federal Law requires a 709 Form to be filed.

Josh Brogan:

RE: your post #1.11

You like playing God Josh? You know Ted Kennedy is in Hell? I know your "only kidding around", right? Most people I know who kid around this way are actually fairly simple-minded and thus they put forth BS as a cover for their ignorance! Have a GREAT day Josh and keep it simple!

Lawyer testifies heiress meant payments as gifts, not contributions, to John Edwards

The lawyer is a liar and so is Edwards. He is about as low as whale-@!$%#.

You people shouldn't be passing justice on old teddy now because the good book says that the justice you giveout will be the measure of the justice you get on judgement day. If you believe the word, that is the way it is. So no matter if teddy was guilty or not, you're setting your standards.

MM, you beat me to the question. I'd really love to see his tax returns for those years. Which penalty is worse for Edwards... campaign fraud or tax fraud?

“I personally do not support gay marriage.” ~ John Edwards, 11/19/2003

Bunny Mellon did report the money as a gift and paid the gift tax. Now whether she would have done this if the Bush appointed US Attorney had not started the investigation, or if her attorney had not discovered the money/gifts is a question no one will never know the answer to. But it has been conceded by the prosecution that Mellon paid the gift tax. Even if John Edwards had been faithful to Elizabeth he would not have been AG or had any cabinet level position within the Obama campaign. Edwards no doubt wanted the position, but Obama would not have appointed him to the position, as President Obama holds the AG position in too high a regard.

This case could be over about 5 minutes after the Prosecution rests its case - when the Defense calls for a dismissal because the Prosecution didn't prove its case.

Is Edwards a flake - YES.

Did the Prosecution prove (beyond a reasonable doubt) that he was guilty of the alleged crimes? NO.

What a waste of time and taxpayer money.

$250,000?....and that 101 yr old woman did not get a little...sumpin/sumpin sugar from Edwards...Uh Huh...!

So what do we know
He was dipping his small Willie in is lovers dark hole
He got a $ gift from a friend
This friend supports the democratic/lovers>< movement
He's rich and doesn't need a new career
He's a daddy again >ouch< cause this one hurts
He was cheating on his wife
He is a Democrap and fair minded
Lawyers always take care of one-another
There are a lot of If's butts and whys
The reality is >>>>>the case is over unless there is something new..

Prove it was a gift by showing a copy of the gift tax return filed for that year. Any gift over $13,000 in any year requires said return and will effect the taxable amount in her estate tax return if she ever dies.

No one has asked just exactly why the woman would give Edwards such a big gift $$$$ unless there was a good reason like getting him elected President.........so I will ask "Why did this woman give you such a gift?"

when they ask the heiress if she deducted the amount from her taxes for a gift or for a campaign contribution she will say "well I dont know that, I hire accountants for such matters. I knew my friend John needed some help to take care of a girlfriend issue and I was happy to help him out with a gift." So you are testifying that you in fact gave that money as a gift?

"Well of course it was a gift, I dont see how helping a single woman out who needs help with her baby could possibly be interpreted as a campaign contribution."

and then the jury nods their head in agreement

personally I could care less if people want to toss their money away bailing out politicians. I cant believe edwards is facing 15 years of jail time for taking a willing woman's money to pay another willing woman for silence over things that we all are willing to do from time to time.

OBXRon -

I agree - why would Ms Mellon give Edwards this money?

My question is was Edwards 'servicing' Ms Mellon as well as Ms Hunter? Edwards was obviously already a wealthy man - I just don't buy that it was "fun" giving Edwards money. She had a darn good reason to give it IMO. What was the reason.

I agree with most the comments here. The check/s were intended as a gift - RIGHT - also I thought one of the checks were written for furniture, (Have to be hiding something was it a gift or furniture) They are definately trying to make this all disappear. There is allot of pants on fire in this case. Check the TAX returns and other official paperwork on the money transactions - It won't be consistent He'll get off with a slap on the hand - wait and see he's got to many $$$$

The point is--none of the money ever went into the campaign fund--the "donations" were not campaign relatedd. The money was handled as "payments" for "things" that mostly went to buy the scumbag Andrew Young and his twit wife a new home. Andrew Yong is the one who can be tied directly to solicitation of and receipt of the "gifts" that John Edwards knew nothing about (because then he would have violated ethics and could not lie about it). Yes, it was shady. No, it is not illegal to give away money. The recipient of the gift is the one who must account. That was not John Edwards. It was Andrew Young and Ms. Hunter. Young is testifying to save his own butt--granted immunity for his testimony. The prosecutor is an idiot for filing this case and wasting tax payer funds when there is no case.

Suzq, how does one "service" a 90+ year old woman? I'm sure that you must know many wealthy people since you seem to know how they like to have "fun" with their money. As far as the reason, Ms. Mellon has stated that to her it was fun.

George Holding, former Republican US Attorney, now running for Congress was hoping this would happen today because tomorrow is THE GOP PRIMARY.

Holding engineered this whole thing to break right now to help him get elected. He's a Jesse Helms former staff member, that's how he got the US Attorney job from George W Bush.

Holding was supposed to resign upon Obama's election but instead brought charges and spent the past 4 years prosecuting NC Governor Easley and preparing to prosecute Edwards. Both cases should never have been filed. Holding was told by federal election lawyers he had no case against Edwards.

Holding is a master bater not a master lawyer. So far millions of tax dollars spent for nothing

Unless you're a multi-billionaire, you won't.

I have worked hard enough over time to worry about it.

so would I

Hopefully it was to get George Holding elected to Congress...

hopefully it won't &, hopefully, his opponent has more integrity. Holding would have been expected to resign with a new president 3 years ago. He brought these charges against Edwards to keep from joining the unemployment line for an extra 3 years, so Millions wasted. Holding has had his time at the public trough, the people of NC deserve far better.

Amen to that.

Agree 110%. If was a gift and it needs taxed. Tax fraud on received gift = 1, Contribution = 0!

Edwards is in double trouble of his own making.

Lets get the old lady's lawyer and accountant on the stand and see if they testify that they did not know they had to file gift tax returns.

Actually it's the person that receives the gift that has to pay the income tax.

Actually it is not the person who receives the gift that pays taxes on any gift. A person can give up to 13k a year to someone, any more than 13k is taxed. And the tax is the obligation the person making the gift not the person who is given the gift. Earlier articles have made it clear that Bunny Mellon paid the gift tax on the gift/donation.

Technically you are correct...in that the recipient doesn't pay the taxes. In this case, it is Young(s) that received the gift. I would have been in the best interest that Bunny gave it directly to Edwards who in turn could gift it to Hunter or directly from Bunny to Hunter. Bunny paid her share of the taxes, Edwards would have paid his and Hunter gets her payoff. Or Bunny paid her taxes and Hunter doesn't have to declare it.

However, it is what the Youngs did with the portion of the money that went to Hunter that becomes questionable. The Youngs did not have to report what they received but further down the line it either became money that the campaign paid Hunter -- which means the money was converted to campaign money and was then used for personal use, which has Edwards in the courtroom -- or it was gifted on Edwards behalf to Hunter which then means the gift tax was required to be paid by the Youngs and Hunter is required to show it came directly from the Youngs. Follow the money trail and see if Hunter was paid by the campaign or by the Youngs who must pay the gift tax.

All this comes from the IRS P525 which addresses reportable income. It directly addresses campaign contributions converted to private use, gift taxes and the third party transfer of gifted income. Most gifts are not generally reportable unless the law specifically includes/excludes what must be reported. It is at the point and time of what the Youngs did with their gifted money that becomes the questionable accounting.

Any way it goes, Edwards should have just used his own money or paid the taxes and walked.

It has been reported that Ms. Mellon paid gift taxes. But, I wonder if she knew that it did not get to the intended ending.

Patrick, you would never have gotten on the jury since you had already formed an opinion. You decided to be the judge and jury and convicted the defendant before he had his day in court. Geez, whatever happened to "innocent until proven guilty". Seems to me that these days a person is guilty even before that person goes to trial. Patrick, if you have never done so, I suggest that you try to get on a jury sometime to see just how our justice system is supposed to work.

Any way you look at it...did he pay taxes for the MILLIONS he got if indeed it was a "gift". We would have had to...why do these people think they can get away with rules not applying to them. He would have had to report it on in income tax. Did he? I tend to doubt it.

All you people bitching about the "gift taxes" and whether Edwards claimed them. Do you people read anything--the person who the checks were written and payable to was the prime prosecution idiot witness - ANDREW YOUNG - nothing went in Edwards name and NO MONEY was ever received by EDWARDS - just Young and the mistress.

Yep--you people really have NO IDEA and NO SHAME about it!!

However, it did then turn around and get "gifted" again to Hunter and Johnny. That's how the rules are written. That's why social security payments are taxed on money that has already been taxed. One gets taxed on money they receive -- each and every person that receives it. Follow the money flow -- it goes from Mellon to Young to Edwards to Hunter but the taxing doesn't stop at Young. Each person has to show their portion received on their taxes. The tax return of Young should show the original amount and then Edwards his reduced portion and Hunter hers and so on and so forth...

We do have an IDEA and have no reason to have SHAME because some of us really do play by the rules and pay our taxes!

Oh, and Bunny's tax return shouldn't show it as a charitable deduction but as a gift of furniture to Young?

Why are you including Edwards in your little chain of taxation? He never touched it. Bunny's decorator friend gave it to the Youngs.

How silly to suggest Bunny would have claimed it as a "charitable deduction." It wasn't to a charity - which she would know, since she's given to plenty of charities in her time.

It's clear from the testimony of her associates that Mrs. Mellon was simply giving away a lot of money - and she had a good time doing it. If anyone has some explaining to do, I'd say it's the Youngs.

Look beyond just the testimony in the trial. The public can do so because we aren't part of the jury. We get to see a bigger picture.

Edwards is included because he is the one with the minor as the dependent for tax purposes. Whether or not the child is on his tax return or just Hunter's, the support came from Edwards for all intents and purposes -- he has even admitted that he has momentarily supported the child -- to keep it from Elizabeth. Either the money trail for supporting the child must come from Edwards thru the Youngs and was personal or it came thru Edwards campaign to Youngs to Hunter. He can claim all he wants that the money went from Bunny to the Youngs and directly to Hunter but he must prove it either to the jury or to the IRS.

Either he is lying about the money to the jury, he is lying to the IRS or he is lying about the monetary support being from him as the father of the baby. Now we all know he is a one big lie, but the question remains, which law(s) did he break with his lies -- campaign financing, IRS or deadbeat dad.

The IRS even has a special place for child support paid/received so follow the money trail from Bunny to the babe. Where does each dollar end its travels...

I can't see Hunter nor Young getting a dime from Mellon, without an Edwards running for President. Mellon's financial history would show my idea wrong if over the course of her years of gift giving there were on the list unwed mothers and advisors with no political influence. Her gift, to my philosophical thinking, falls in the same category as parents giving ( bailing out ) money towards their children's debts, so their grandchildren aren't living poorly. It's similar in nature, but because Edwards is not Mellon's child, her money should be " taxed " as gift money over the limit of gifts, or found to be a campaign contribution. Mellon's in the game of political influence, and had this scandal not come to light and Edwards were elected, you can be sure Mellon would have reminded Edwards of his bastard child and mistress living on her money every time there was a political interest of Mellon's up for vote in Washington.

But all you people seem to forget--IT IS NOT ABOUT WHETHER JOHN HAD A BABY WITH HUNTER--it is the money trail.

The prosecution CAN NOT tie any of that money given to Young and Hunter to the Edwards campaign. NONE OF IT. It doesnt matter that you dont like any of them. It doesnt matter that Bunny Mellon gave this money as gifts because she likes John. You cant prosecute BAD TASTE. If we only COULD!!!

As for all you trying to tie Edwards in because you think he is SCUM, get over it.

As for the TAXES--that is up to the IRS not the courts. Again, you cant prosecute just because you dont like -- otherwise -- I have a LONG LIST of people that need to go before the courts!!!

How can Edwards pay taxes on the money when, according to many of the people involved, it never got any farther that the Youngs. My question would be, did the Youngs and Hunter pay gift taxes. One wonders why the Youngs were granted immuity for their testimony if in fact they were clean.

Oh Susie-- there you go again -- using facts and and questioning the true meaning of this farce. You are leading one to believe that you actually think for yourself and use your brain for more than a hat holder!

You go girl!

Kinda reminds me of some guy who has an effective tax rate of 13%...while us (non-millionaires) pay more than twice that rate. Wild, isn't it!

13K

It is $13,000 a year.

reported by giver, not receiver

Receiver also has to report over the $13,000. If not then it is the receiver who is looked into...

To clarify the above post about the receiver of a gift...

My post is not to insinuate that the amount over $13,000 gets taxed against the receiver of the gift. It is only to state that the amount over the taxable limit is supposed to be declared as a gift by the recipient. That's the way the IRS does things -- show one positive column and one negative column. Whatever the difference between the two....Standard accounting 101 :-).

It is $13000 a year but at the time this happened it may have been $12000 a year. Gifts over that amount are subject to tax .

A person who receives a gift does not have to report it. It is not income, it is not taxable, and the person who receives the gift is not required, and has never been required to report the gift, or file anything. Anyone who gives in excess of 13K in a year to an individual must file a gift tax declaration with their taxes (Bunny Mellon did this, as has been reported previously) Whether a person giving someone a gift in excess of 13K in a tax year must pay a gift tax depends upon their own individual financial/tax situation.

John Edwards is scum, but even if he had received the money directly he would not have violated any tax laws, which is why no one was charged with any tax violation.

It paid well !

Just like Mark Rich pardoned by Clinton for CRIMINAL tax conviction on the advice of Obama's current Attorney General Eric Holder.

CoCo-1551796:

You are not up to date informationwise. She paid a gift tax on this money, so it was reported as given to Edwards. "She is a Democrat" is not the issue. It is becoming obvious it was not contributed to his campaign. So, as it did not go to the campaign for a campaign expense, but was used to for non campaign purposes, such as supporting a woman who obviously set Edwards up, and he fell for it.

Amendments are not just for the Constitution - she can amend her tax returns. Boooyaa!!!

Sorry to disappoint, statute of limitations has expired

Maybe Edwards needs to amend his tax returns for that year as well.

Statute also expiired, raise you a booyaaa

Statue of limitations doesn't expire on murder or fraud!

It does on ammending a tax return

Then, if they didn't claim the gift and the window closed to amend, they filed a fraudulent claim.

If the Feds can make a case they intended to subvert the campaign finance laws; they can be charged with a R.I.C.O. violation. Which is far worse than anything Edwards is currently charged with!

You don't declare campaign contributions. Candidates are obligated to declare contributions they receive to the FEC. Bunny Mellon declared the amount given to Edwards via Young as a gift. John Edwards is scum, but there is no tax violation.