Crime | John Edwards John Edwards: 'I Did Not Break the Law' He pleads not guilty to charges By John Johnson Posted Jun 3, 2011 2:48 PM CDT Copied John Edwards enters the Federal Building in downtown Winston-Salem, N.C. on Friday. (AP Photo/Winston-Salem Journal, Jennifer Rotenizer) John Edwards says his behavior was stupid but not illegal. He pleaded not guilty today to charges that donors illegally funneled nearly $1 million to mistress Rielle Hunter and campaign aide Andrew Young to cover up an affair and keep his 2008 campaign alive. Edwards did not have to post bond, but he had to surrender his passport and promise not to contact a wealthy benefactor who figures in the case. He made a brief statement after his court appearance, notes the Raleigh News & Observer: "I have done wrong. And I take full responsibility for having done wrong. And I will regret for the rest of my life the pain and the harm that I have caused to others. But I did not break the law. And I never, ever thought that I was breaking the law." Read These Next North Carolina shooting suspect once walked the red carpet. The gunman who killed 4 at a Michigan church was an ex-marine. Skydivers leap from plane 2 minutes before fatal crash. Tossed beers, hostile fans take the spotlight at Ryder Cup. Report an error