Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards reportedly was in talks to open a public-interest law firm in New York City before he was indicted on campaign finance charges stemming from the coverup of his affair.  The New York Observer reports Edwards, once one of North Carolina's most successful trial attorneys, and his prospective partner Arthur Schwartz had looked at real estate in Manhattan and talked to lawyers in New York City and Washington who possibly would join the public-interest firm.  Edwards, the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee, pleaded not guilty in early June on charges that he violated campaign laws by accepting nearly $1 million to hide his extramarital affair with Rielle Hunter, a former campaign videography. Edwards eventually admitted the affair and that he fathered a daughter with Hunter.  Schwartz told the New York Observer that Edwards flew to New York City in July, September and October to look at real estate and to interview prospective lawyers. Schwartz recalled that Edwards could not attend meetings before 11 a.m. because he had to take his children to school at 8 a.m. ET in North Carolina.  New York City Council member Letitia James, one of the lawyers who was being recruited for the venture, is quoted as saying that Edwards would have brought "cachet" to such a law firm.  Schwartz has launched Advocates for Justice without Edwards. He is a long-time union lawyer and was, for a short time, general counsel to ACORN, a community organizing group that has filed for bankruptcy. The organization was at the center of scandal over secretly taped video that showed ACORN staff helping conservative activists posing as a pimp and a prostitute.  To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor  . For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to  . Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to
John Edwards tried to launch law firm before indictment  - On Politics: Covering the US Congress, Governors, and the 2010 Election - USATODAY.com