Closing arguments set to begin in John Edwards corruption trial

John Edwards’ corruption trial’s closing arguments are set to begin on Thursday, after his defense team rested its case without calling the former Democratic presidential candidate’s ex-mistress to testify. Edwards’ attorneys also decided not to call his eldest daughter, Cate, and prosecution star witness Andrew Young, Edwards’s former campaign aide, to the stand before resting their case on Wednesday.

Edwards is accused of “knowingly and willingly” accepting large amounts of money from wealthy campaign donors Fred Baron and Rachel Melon to hide his former mistress, Rielle Hunter, and her pregnancy in an effort to remain a viable candidate in his 2008 presidential campaign. The former U.S. senator is charged with six counts of illegal campaign contributions, conspiracy, and falsifying documents. If found guilty on all charges, Edwards could face up to 30 years in prison and a fine of $1.5 million.