Federal investigators have been gathering evidence and interviewing key witnesses. Former Senator Edwards and his attorneys have denied wrongdoing.

The focus of the case remains on the money allegedly spent – upwards of $1 million – to seclude Rielle Hunter and former Edwards staffer Andrew Young, who had falsely claimed paternity of Hunter’s child, while Edwards continued his pursuit of the presidential nomination.

But the government has also been digging deeper into Edwards’ past, scrutinizing transactions of a web of loosely-connected political committees, corporations and non-profit organizations associated with his failed campaign, looking for potential violations of campaign finance and tax laws, according to several witnesses who have been interviewed in the probe as ABC News reports.

What do you think is going to happen? John Edwards to be indicted or not?

photos of John and Elizabeth Edwards before the fallout. The couple separated in early 2010. Elizabeth passed away on December 7, 2010 after losing her battle against breast cancer.

photos: Fame

The photo above is John and his late wife Elizabeth taken during happier times

National Enquirer reported “close sources” as saying Edwards popped the question just three weeks after burying his cheated wife of 33 years, Elizabeth.

According to a source close to the Edwards family, John Edwards says that the report is false and he is not engaged. Another source close to Rielle Hunter also denies reports of the engagement, according to NBC News.

John Edwards, 57, and his Elizabeth, 61, separated after 33 years of marriage in early 2010 after he acknowledged fathering a child with his mistress Hunter. Elizabeth died on December 7, 2010 after 6-year battle with breast cancer. The couple’s had four kids from the marriage: Wade, the eldest was killed in a 1995 car crash; Cate, 28; Jack, 10; Emma Claire, 12.

Does it matter if he’s engaged or not? He cheated on his wife when she was battling cancer..

photos: Fame

Elizabeth passed away with courage and grace at age 61, the resilient Elizabeth Edwards Cohen succumbed to her 6-year battle with breast cancer on December 7, 2010. She was surrounded by her children and estranged husband John Edwards at her home in North Carolina.

She was an attorney married to John Edwards, the former U.S. Senator. In the final years of her life, she publicly dealt with her husband’s extramarital affair and her breast cancer. She separated from John in early 2010.

R.I.P.

To read Elizabeth’s will in details please vist TMZ.com.

photos: Edwards is pictured at her book signing in NYC, NY on May 19, 2009

photos: Fame

more John after the hop…

North Carolina law requires that couples separate for a year before officially filing for divorce. So today marks the beginning of John and Elizabeth‘s separation. The split comes right before the release of the Edwards‘ tell-all, The Politician, by ex-aide Andrew Young. The AP reports:

“Elizabeth is moving on with her life and wants to put this difficult chapter behind her,” a statement released by Purse (a long-time Edwards friend) said, referring to unflattering details of her marriage and her husband’s affair that are emerging from an upcoming tell-all book.

Photos: Bauer Griffin

More pictures after the break…

John Edwards admitted his affair with Rielle Hunter, but denied her baby was his.  The kinks in that story are as follows:

When Rielle was pregnant, she named one of Edwards’ aids as the father.

That father was not named on the birth certificate.

That father has not paid a dime of child support.

John Edwards has money being funneled to Rielle still. 

Smell like a cover up still?  I think a DNA test is in order!

Photos: PR Photos

more photos after the jump…

“In 2006, I made a serious error in judgment and conducted myself in a way that was disloyal to my family and to my core beliefs. I recognized my mistake and I told my wife that I had a liaison with another woman, and I asked for her forgiveness. Although I was honest in every painful detail with my family, I did not tell the public. When a supermarket tabloid told a version of the story, I used the fact that the story contained many falsities to deny it. But being 99% honest is no longer enough.”

And he goes on …

“I was and am ashamed of my conduct and choices, and I had hoped that it would never become public. With my family, I took responsibility for my actions in 2006 and today I take full responsibility publicly. But that misconduct took place for a short period in 2006. It ended then. 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. I only know that the apparent father has said publicly that he is the father of the baby. I also have not been engaged in any activity of any description that requested, agreed to or supported payments of any kind to the woman or to the apparent father of the baby.

It is inadequate to say to the people who believed in me that I am sorry, as it is inadequate to say to the people who love me that I am sorry. In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic. If you want to beat me up – feel free. You cannot beat me up more than I have already beaten up myself. I have been stripped bare and will now work with everything I have to help my family and others who need my help.

I have given a complete interview on this matter and having done so, will have nothing more to say.”

photos: PR Photos

Serious error in judgment? Does he mean he can’t keep his pants on? I feel sorry for his wife, that’s all.

Do you think he’s the daddy of Hunter’s baby girl?

More pictures after the jump…

The married Senator was in California to discuss homelessness in LA.  The National Enquirer had a reporter near the hotel where he was going for a ‘meeting’ because they knew he was meeting a mistress.  How?  I don’t know.  I know the Enquirer doesn’t have the best reputation…but this story seems pretty credible.  And how would they make up these details?

John went to meet up with Rielle Hunter, who is supposedly his mistress.  She happened to have a child last year and it is rumored to be his.  From the article:

“Rielle had reserved rooms 246 and 252 under the name of the friend who had accompanied her from Santa Barbara, Bob McGovern. Rielle was in one room and McGovern was in another with her baby. This allowed her and Edwards to spend time alone, a source revealed.”

The detailed account is long, so if you want all the scoop, you’ll have to visit the Enquirer to get it.  If this story is true, it’s been kept under wraps pretty well.  What do you think?  Political BS or some truth to the tale?  How does Edward’s wife who is fighting cancer feel?

Photos: PR Photos