The New York Times

The indictment alleges Mellon funneled $725,000 to Edwards in order to hide his affair with Rielle Hunter, and the government claims those gifts were an illegal campaign contribution designed to help the candidate maintain a family man image for his last-gasp shot at the presidency. (Edwards is likely to argue it was simply a personal contribution to help keep the affair from his wife.)

But, for all her great wealth, Mellon appears to have been singularly smitten with Edwards.

A search of the FEC site shows only two recipients of her generosity: her (official) contributions to Edwards' 2008 campaign, and one $250 donation to the Animal Action Committee in 1997.

The Times reports that Mellon liked Edwards because he reminded her of her late friend, John F. Kennedy. The affection appears to have developed late; Mellon isn't listed as contributing to Edwards' primary bid in 2004, nor to the John Kerry campaign on which he was the vice presidential nominee.

In a small bit of irony, Mellon's $2300 contribution to Edwards' general election campaign appears to have been returned after he conceded defeat in the primary, in keeping with campaign finance laws.

Here's the entry from the FEC site:

Contributions to Political Committees

MELLON, RACHEL L
UPPERVILLE, VA 20184

EDWARDS, JOHN VIAJOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT
03/24/2008	-2300.00	28931314527

 

MELLON, RACHEL L
UPPERVILLE, VA 20184
NOT EMPLOYED/RETIRED

EDWARDS, JOHN VIAJOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT
03/05/2007	2300.00	27930589218
03/31/2007	2300.00	27930589218

 

MELLON, RACHEL L
UPPERVILLE, VA 20185

ANIMAL ACTION COMMITTEE INC
	07/31/1997	250.00	98032790800

 

Total Contributions:    2550.00