Edwards campaign repays taxpayers $2.1 million

MICHAEL BIESECKER
Associated Press

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — John Edwards’s campaign has repaid $2.1 million in public matching funds received after the North Carolina Democrat dropped out of the 2008 presidential primary amid a sex scandal.

A spokeswoman for the Federal Election Commission confirmed Tuesday that the agency had received the money. The bipartisan election commission ruled unanimously last year that Edwards was improperly paid the taxpayer money after he suspended his campaign on Jan. 30, 2008.

Edwards appealed that ruling, which the FEC upheld March 12. The campaign was given 30 days to send a check to the U.S. Treasury.

Edwards faces a criminal trial set to begin Thursday on unrelated campaign finance charges over nearly $1 million paid by two wealthy donors to help hide his pregnant mistress during the race. He has pleaded not guilty.

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