John Edwards' lawyers want criminal case dismissed

GREENSBORO, N.C. (KABC) -- John Edwards' lawyers are seeking to dismiss the criminal case against the former presidential candidate in court Wednesday.

His lawyers argued in motions filed in September that the judge should throw out all six felony and misdemeanor counts.

He is accused of using nearly $1 million in under-the-table payments from political supporters to hide his pregnant mistress during his 2008 presidential run.

Edwards is also charged with helping to falsify finance reports to cover up those payments.

His lawyers are trying to convince a judge to dismiss the case, alleging it was brought on by a partisan Republican prosecutor bent on taking down a big-name democrat.

Prosecutors said that argument is baseless and ignorant of the law.

Edwards has pleaded not guilty. A trial is scheduled to begin in January.

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department of justice, election, legal, politics

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