John Edwards’ Tips and Tricks to Hiding an Affair
From early 2006 to August 2008, former presidential candidate John Edwards was able to keep secret an intense affair with campaign videographer Rielle Hunter. Although the scandal eventually became public, Edwards used some key tricks and techniques to hide his affair, detailed in former aide Paul Young’s new book, The Politician.
Have an accomplice. Paul Young helped facilitate and hide the affair in a number of ways. From booking hotel rooms under his name to falsely claiming paternity of Edwards’ and Hunter’s love child, he was the perfect accomplice (until he wrote his tell-all book, that is).
Don’t call your lover with your regular cell phone. Incriminating text messages and call logs have been the downfall of many adulterers, most recently Tiger Woods. Edwards cleverly bought a cell phone that he used exclusively to talk to Hunter. He would then hand off the phone to Young so that Elizabeth could never stumble upon it. He and Hunter would also dial into three-way conference calls, scheduled by Young, so there would be no trace of her phone number on his call log.
Don’t leave written evidence. After the birth of their love child, Edwards sent Hunter flowers, but did not sign the card in his name in case someone saw it.
Don’t use your credit card. A credit card statement can be essentially a diary of a sloppy adulterer’s affair. When Edwards started paying Hunter’s living expenses, he made sure to send her cash and her own credit card through Young. He even managed to avoid using his own funds, funneling her money from wealthy campaign donor Bunny Mellon through an elaborate cover-up.
