Once a politician, always a politician. Look at that handsome, smiling face. Going by these images, you’d never expect that former U.S. Senator John Edwards knocked up mistress Rielle Hunter while his wife was terminally ill, lied about it repeatedly, then allegedly covered it up with campaign funds. But, here we are. Nice to see John Edwards is still having fun . Edwards pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and campaign law violations. These mug shots were obtained by CNN . Goooo Freedom of Information Act! The plea came after a grand jury indicted him on six counts, including conspiracy, issuing false statements and violating campaign finance laws. The grand jury had been investigating whether money given to support Rielle Hunter by benefactors of Edwards’ 2008 run for the presidency. Their conclusion was that there was enough evidence to charge Edwards, who insists that despite his personal failings, he did not break the law . A plea deal between Edwards and the U.S. Justice Department fell apart over the the DOJ’s requirement that Edwards go to jail. He declined. Guess he’ll roll the dice at trial, where his chances of beating the rap are iffy. In the court of opinion, however, he’s long since been convicted.
Once a politician, always a politician. Look at that handsome, smiling face. Going by these images, you’d never expect that former U.S. Senator John Edwards knocked up mistress Rielle Hunter while his wife was terminally ill, lied about it repeatedly, then allegedly covered it up with campaign funds. But, here we are. Nice to see John Edwards is still having fun . Edwards pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and campaign law violations. These mug shots were obtained by CNN . Goooo Freedom of Information Act! The plea came after a grand jury indicted him on six counts, including conspiracy, issuing false statements and violating campaign finance laws. The grand jury had been investigating whether money given to support Rielle Hunter by benefactors of Edwards’ 2008 run for the presidency. Their conclusion was that there was enough evidence to charge Edwards, who insists that despite his personal failings, he did not break the law . A plea deal between Edwards and the U.S. Justice Department fell apart over the the DOJ’s requirement that Edwards go to jail. He declined. Guess he’ll roll the dice at trial, where his chances of beating the rap are iffy. In the court of opinion, however, he’s long since been convicted.
A physical scientist and forensic examiner testified today that there was heart-shaped residue on the duct tape over the mouth of slain Caylee Anthony. “It was approximately the size of a dime,” Elizabeth Fontaine testified as the murder trial of Casey Anthony, Caylee’s mother, continued this morning. “If you wore a band aid for an extended time, then take it off, there would be glue residue and debris. That’s what this looked like, but heart shaped.” The state, which says Caylee was murdered , plans to introduce evidence that similar heart-shaped stickers were found in Casey Anthony’s home. Some evidence at the trial has been enough to make Casey Anthony sick . But one thing was missing from the tape: fingerprints of the toddler’s killer. The FBI believes the fingerprints vanished when Caylee’s body was outdoors in the months before she was found in the woods near her home. “Fingerprints are fragile,” Fontaine said . “It’s not surprising there were none.” In cross-examination, defense attorney Jose Baez criticized the sticker evidence. “When you examined it a second time, it was gone,” Baez said. “Is that correct?” “It was no longer visible,” said Fontaine, who noted that other FBI agents had tested the duct tape in the meantime while investigating the case. The trial is entering its fourth week, and the prosecution says it will wrap up its case soon. Casey Anthony faces the death penalty if convicted.
Kelsey Grammer is in for a long custody battle with his ex. He admitted as much at the Tony Awards last night, sounding confident about his chances. “It’s going to be a long drawn out thing and it’ll be turgid and unpleasant I’m sure, but not on my side,” the actor told OK! Weekly . Will Kelsey Grammer still be smiling when his custody battle plays out? No matter how it plays out, Kelsey couldn’t say enough good things about his new wife, Kayte Walsh, who accompanied him to the event. “She’s just amazing. She’s extraordinary. A lovely human being,” Grammer said. “I’m as blessed as I’ve ever been in my life.” [Photo: WENN.com]
Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is one of many people seeking the Republican nomination for president in 2012, and his campaign is underway. What better way to prep than by debating … a Barack Obama impersonator? Johnson recently appeared on Fox Business Network’s “Media Matters for America,” where host John Stossel moderated a debate between Johnson and a (pretty decent) President Obama impersonator, Reggie Brown … Reggie Brown: Barack Obama Impersonator Very interesting. On one hand, Brown reiterates Obama talking points awfully well. On the other hand … what the HELL goes on over at Fox News? Their ticker gets hacked. They use photos of Tina Fey instead of Sarah Palin. They employ Sarah Palin . Now this, perhaps the most absurd of all. Not that Gary Johnson is a serious candidate anyway, but how can anyone take him halfway seriously after this ridiculous debate with Faux-bama? Seriously. We keep expecting to hear “Live From New York …”
Anthony Weiner should really just resign already. Under mounting pressure from fellow politicians, and with police getting involved in his recent spat of Twitter exchanges, the embattled Congressman has announced a leave of absence from his post. Can one seek professional help for being a horny moron? A statement from Weiner’s camp reads: “[Congressman Weiner] will request a short leave of absence from the House of Representatives so that he can get evaluated and map out a course of treatment to make himself well. Congressman Weiner takes the views of his colleagues very seriously and has determined that he needs this time to get healthy and make the best decision possible for himself, his family and his constituents.” The move comes after Nancy Pelosi said her colleague ought to see assistance “”without the pressures of being a member of Congress.” It also takes place shortly after police interviewed a teen in Delaware. She admitted to exchange Tweets with Weiner, but said nothing “inappropriate” took place. With his wife pregnant , there certainly do appear to be pressing personal matters for Weiner to attend to. Let’s hope someone confiscates his cell phone while he’s away. [Photo: WENN.com]
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s startling admission that he fathered a child out of wedlock over a decade ago begs a number of questions, chief among them: Who is the mystery female employee he impregnated? Having hidden it so well under heavy scrutiny, why admit it now? How could be run for office while hiding a secret of this magnitude? We don’t know the answer to question #1 right now, though we imagine we will in time. The second is equally unclear. The third? Only Arnold knows. His mistress, who worked in the family’s home and continued to do so until earlier this year , always maintained that her then-husband was the dad. This is a remarkable story for a number of reasons. Even if Schwarzenegger’s public persona was a macho rogue, adultery doesn’t play well with voters … nor does lying and pulling a John Edwards. When the former U.S. senator and presidential candidate knocked up Rielle Hunter , he denied it to everyone’s face until he was flat out busted. Arnold, according to reports today at least, came clean to wife Maria Shriver very recently, prompting her to leave the actor and ex-governor. Schwarzenegger and Shriver separated last week and have four children ages 13-21. The split came amid rumors of Arnold’s philandering and drifting apart from his wife, but no mention of his affair or illegitimate child was made. Until the Los Angeles Times broke the story yesterday and he confirmed it. The question is whether the Times would have found anything had the couple not split up, and if not, why Arnold didn’t just take this one to his grave. His behavior and history with women became an issue during his first campaign for California governor, in the 2003 election, but he weathered it. Shriver offered a timely and politically crucial defense of her husband, vouching for his personal integrity. He won in 2003, then again in 2006. So after all that, how did this come out now, right after he left the state house and returned to life as a private citizen? Perhaps because of that? Maybe his hand was forced in some way. Maybe he just couldn’t keep it from Maria anymore and the guilt ate away at him. Maybe time will tell. Earlier today, Maria Shriver released a statement, saying, “This is a painful and heartbreaking time. As a mother, my concern is for the children.”
Stop the presses. Bradley Cooper may have been hanging out with Jennifer Aniston recently, but don’t get any ideas about the two becoming a couple. Not that we really did, but the celebrity gossip media has a field day with all things Aniston, so THG always feels the need to clarify what’s NOT true. Cooper, who split with girlfriend of nearly two years Renee Zellweger last month, reportedly got back in touch with Jen, who he was linked to in 2009. However, sources close to Cooper shot down any romance reports. “They were really only looking at projects to work on together,” a source said of The Hangover 2 star. “Bradley loves Jennifer, but just as a friend.” What’s holding him
Kim Kardashian made it clear a couple weeks ago: she isn’t only about red carpet photos and fashion. The reality star took major exception to her body being placed on the cover of Turkey’s Cosmopolitan , considering she’s of Armenian descent and that nation was responsible for acts of genocide against her people in the early 1900s. Now, with Genocide Remembrance Day schedule for Sunday, Kim has taken to her blog and posted the following message: “My family and I are incredibly proud of our heritage. My dad taught me a lot about Armenian culture, and I have a strong connection with my roots. Every year, I honor the memory of the martyrs who were killed during the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Even though so many countries around the world recognize the Genocide, the government of Turkey still denies it.” Approximately 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks starting in 1915. Wrote Kardashian: “Until this crime is resolved truthfully and fairly, the Armenian people will live with the pain of what happened to their families and the fear of what might happen again to their homeland. So out of respect for all those innocent people that died, I’m putting a spotlight on it today…” [Photo: WENN.com]
The feeling may not be reciprocal here, but that’s nice at least. While out at The Grove in Los Angeles yesterday, a photographer caught up with Dr. Conrad Murray, who is awaiting involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Michael Jackson, and asked about the late King of Pop’s offspring. His response: “That’s my children, I love them. I love them.” Dr. Conrad Murray: Man on the Street And this concludes your Dr. Conrad Murray update this week. It’s been fun. We’ll see if jurors show him similar love when his trial kicks off in late April.
