GREENSBORO, NC (AP) -- A federal judge has set the trial of former presidential candidate John Edwards to begin Jan. 30, a week earlier than the date prosecutors and defense lawyers had sought.

US District Court Judge Catherine Eagles signed an order Tuesday setting the schedule for Edwards' trial on charges of campaign finance violations at the federal courthouse in Greensboro.

Edwards is accused of asking two wealthy campaign donors to provide nearly $1 million in secret payments used to hide his pregnant mistress as he sought the Democratic Party's nomination for the White House in 2007 and 2008.

Edwards says he knew nothing of the checks, cash and private jets used to fly the woman, Rielle Hunter, across the country and put her up in luxury homes and hotels.

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