Monday, December 14, 2009

Charlotte house bought by trust with possible ties to Edwards

A private trust fund with apparent ties to John Edwards bought a house in Charlotte last month, fueling speculation that it was for his mistress, Rielle Hunter.

Some Eastover residents and real estate agents -- as well as tabloids -- have been buzzing about the possibility that Hunter and her daughter Frances could be moving into the house at 1611 Providence Road, across the street from Providence Road Sundries. However, reports now suggest that might not happen after all.

According to the deed, Alan Simpson sold the house to The Providence Road Trust for $535,000.

"The buyer wanted to remain anonymous," Simpson said today. "I have heard speculation (about Hunter). I could not tell you who was buying the house."

The trustee listed on the deed could not be reached. The trust's mailing address is a Raleigh post office box registered to the law firm Lynch & Eatman. Attorney Maria Lynch is treasurer of the Wade Edwards Foundation, according to the 2008 tax return of the organization founded by John and Elizabeth Edwards to honor their late son. Lynch has not returned several calls.

Three real estate agents involved in the sale would not discuss it, citing confidentiality. But another one who was not involved said agents had been buzzing with speculation that Edwards was buying it for Hunter.

The National Enquirer, which broke the story of Edwards' affair last year, features a picture of the house in editions that went on sale Monday. It said Hunter was scheduled to move in Dec. 1 but didn't after she and Edwards got into a dispute over child support.

Hunter, reached by the Observer last week on her cell phone, declined to discuss the matter.

"I don’t speak to the media, and that comment was off the record," she said. "Thank you for calling and have a great day."

Neither Charlotte attorney Jim Cooney, who is helping represent Edwards, or Hunter's New Jersey attorney Frank Louis would comment.

It was unclear where Hunter is. She has been living in Southport, according to a New Hanover County real estate agent. The Enquirer said she had checked into a Charlotte hotel prior to the anticipated Dec. 1 move-in date.

The speculation over where she'll live next comes as Edwards faces a grand jury investigation. On Friday a Raleigh TV station showed him and former law partner David Kirby at Raleigh-Durham airport walking off a plane belonging to Rachel "Bunny" Mellon, a wealthy heiress and one-time friend of Jacqueline Kennedy.

Flight records showed the plane flew from RDU to the private northern Virginia airstrip at Mellon's home.

In 2008 Mellon's holding company gave $3.48 million to Alliance for a New America, a so-called 527 group tied to Edwards' presidential campaign. Prosecutors investigating Edwards have talked to attorneys for Mellon.

Charlotte lawyer Ken Bell, a former federal prosecutor, said Edwards' flight could cause an appearance problem, if not legal.

"It would create a danger of being accused of trying to influence a witness or obstruct justice," he said. "It's dangerous and perhaps inadvisable but not necessarily illegal."

The Politico's Ben Smith reported today that Andrew Young, the former aide to once claimed to be the father of Hunter's baby, is alleging that Mellon paid some of Rielle Hunter's bills.

Meanwhile, the Providence Road house stands empty. One neighbor even baked cookies for the woman she expected to be her new neighbor.

"I froze them," she said.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

There really are two different America's, the one people like this dirtbag live in and the one the rest of us live in. What a guy that Edwards is, he understands the common man you know. Maybe he and Tiger could have a beer summit...and invite Jim Morrill too. How nice.

cltindependent said...

How much mileage is this old hag going to get out of having UNPROTECTED SEX with a married man. John Edwards is a pig. Elizabeth is stupid for trying to help him cover up and not acknowleging the child. Please stop making these side women celebrities. I could care less where she lives. I feel sorry for all of John Edwards kids.

Anonymous said...

Who cares? Put it in the tabloid at the super market.

Even if true - she's moving to Myers Park - birds of a feather - they deserve her.

Anonymous said...

Why is this on the home page of the Charlotte Observer?

Sam said...

Trust and John Edwards in the same sentence. Now THAT'S funny.

Anonymous said...

Are we SURE Tim D'ListofConstanents didn't buy it. It seems like just the sort of action the Head of Civitas would do to divert our attention? Only before telling us, HA, the media is stupid!!!

Gotcha. The three exclamation points indicate that. Stupid media.

Anonymous said...

Have you seen pictures of Edwards house in Chapel Hill? Plenty of room there for Hunter, the love child, a cheer-leading squad, plus Tiger's former lovers!

Anonymous said...

Well, mercy! If I were Rielle, no way would I accept an aging colonial on busy Providence Road! It's an EINO-Eastover In Name Only. Miss Rielle needs to meet my friend, Miss Anita Ballantyne Plantation! That's the style she deserves!

Anonymous said...

What a class act - buying a home for his mistress and bastard child through a trust set up in honor of his dead child. This dirtbag just keeps sinking lower and lower.

Anonymous said...

To the neighbor leaving cookies, never mind, John Boy brings his own.

Anonymous said...

$535,000? Even an EINO should cost more, even in this down market, Rielle! Must.Need.Everything.

Of course, it is across the street from Providence Sundries, home of species Frattus Carolinus Homosapiens Vetus. Maybe that's just what Miss Rielle needs.

Bright lights, big city, much.

Anonymous said...

He's moving his slut closer.

Anonymous said...

And just to think, this JACKASS could be running our COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

So instead we get the other JACKASS.

Anonymous said...

... big whup

Karen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Another great article about speculation....typical Morrill

Anonymous said...

Will the kid enter the IB program?

Anonymous said...

I'm going to try and get that woman to suck my hoho

Anonymous said...

Reread the article, the house was purchased by a trust, Providence Road Trust, managed by Lynch & Eatman. The Wade Edwards Foundation did not make the purchase.

John Edwards deserves what he gets via news coverage, his dead son doesn't...nor does his wife...nor does his living children.

Anonymous said...

As a national celebutramp, WHY would she pick a home on Providence Rd in Charlotte NC?
Does she have ties to CLT?

Wouldnt she still be happier in tasteful Santa Barbara where she was 'sent' originally?

Anonymous said...

I heard she cures cancer if she sucks on you. edwards was just looking for a cure

public sex positions said...

Of course, it is across the street from Providence Sundries, home of species Frattus Carolinus Homosapiens Vetus. Maybe that's just what Miss Rielle needs

houses for sale said...

Great house with excellent features.

Angelo H

Delilah said...

It will not work in fact, that is exactly what I think.