Ex-Aide On John Edwards' Many Lies "We were fooled. America was fooled."
Feb. 24 2010, Published 11:39 a.m. ET
Andrew Young, the former aide to disgraced Presidential hopeful John Edwards and author of an explosive tell all book about his ex-boss, appeared on Oprah, along with his wife, Cheri, on Wednesday.
Oprah left no stone unturned when it came to her hour long questioning of Young, grilling him about Edwards' shocking extra marital affair, the love child Edwards fathered with his mistress, Rielle Hunter, the sex tape Edwards made and Young's own involvement in the whole scandal.
EXCLUSIVE: Elizabeth Edwards References Cheating In First Public Speech Since Split From John
Oprah voiced her disgust at Edwards' behavior several times throughout the interview and quizzed Young on how he could of so blatantly lied on Edwards' behalf, even going so far as to claim parentage of Edwards' love child.
Judge Finds Andrew Young In Contempt Of Court Over John Edwards Sex Tape
Young explained his involvement in the scandal as being, in retrospect, stupid, ridiculous and absurd, before going on to explain that he had worked closely with Edwards for 8 to 9 nine years and that Edwards had become more than a hero to him, he was like a brother, and that he was "inspired" by him.
EXCLUSIVE John Edwards Admitting Paternity Of Love Child
Young explained that Edwards really hooked him into lying on his behalf when he insisted that his wife, Elizabeth, who had been diagnosed with cancer, was dying, insisting that she had a very short time to live and pleading with Young to "not let his wife die in disgrace".
He went on to say, "We were fooled. America was fooled."
Young also gave away that a strong part of his motivation for covering for Edwards sprang from the fact that his own father, an ordained minister, had destroyed his career because of an affair that he had, and he didn't want the same thing to happen to Edwards.
EXCLUSIVE: Read The Documents That Prove John Edwards Is Father Of Love Child
According to Young, Edwards, who he described as one of the most charismatic and powerful people in the world, wanted to spin an even deeper web of lies, going so far as to ask Young to steal a diaper so he could fake DNA tests, and if that failed, to find a doctor that would be willing to fake the test results.
Young's wife Cheri seconded her husband's sentiments when it came to Edwards, telling Oprah the couple did everything for the politician and his wife during the time they worked for them, and that her husband had never been able to say no to Edwards.
Young said that watching Edwards' televised denial that he was the father of Rielle's baby, sent "shivers up my spine" going on to say that "it's just spooky, you know that every word coming out of his mouth is a lie, yet you believe him."
Young went on to tell of his discovery of the Edwards sex tape that was made with Rielle, stating, "It's not an alleged sex tape. It shows him. It doesn't show Rielle.
VIDEO: John Edwards Mistress Wins Court Order For Return Of Sex Tape
"He's having sex with a visibly pregnant woman while his wife is dying of cancer."
Young and his wife insisted to Oprah that even though they have been offered substantial amounts of money for the tape they will never sell it.
BOOK: John Edwards Wanted Mistress To Abort Their Baby
Young said that the one person he really feels sorry for is Edwards' duped wife, telling Oprah, "Elizabeth's the biggest victim in all of this. It's broken my heart that somebody who I considered my best friend lied to and then ran over me with a dump truck backward and forward. I can't fathom what Elizabeth has gone through."
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
John Edwards Admits Paternity Says, "I Am Truly Sorry"
Finally, Young insisted he has learned a lesson from the whole ordeal, telling Oprah, "When I started working for John Edwards, I had this viable world leader drop into my lap. I got seduced by the politics, the power, the money, the whole thing," he says. "If there's a lesson I've learned, it's that most of us already have what we want. Money doesn't help anything."
