If you haven’t read the GQ interview with former presidential candidate John Edwards mistress Rielle Hunter, meh, not that illuminating. But the interview does bring up the late Fred Baron once again, since she explains the vast amounts of cash she received from him as “a gift.”
Says Hunter:
It was never hush money. Ever. Fred gave me the money as a gift with no strings attached. And Johnny always said to me I could talk to the media whenever I wanted, and whatever I did would never affect his relationship with Quinn. Me not talking to the press was my own personal choice based on what I felt was best for me and my daughter and based upon my feelings for how the media operates.
Fred was a very kind and generous man. He even paid for a security guard when he was concerned about our safety. And in May ‘08, Fred and Lisa [Blue, his wife] came to visit me in Santa Barbara and to meet Quinn, and Fred just flat out asked me, “How can I help you, and what do you need?” because Fred knew I needed to get away from the Youngs. I’d just given birth to a baby, the tabloids were stalking me, and he wanted to help.
But now for a public service announcement: Until they make a Silkwood shower for your brain, for the love of God don’t go read the description of the sex tape found on The Daily Beast.
15 comments
“But now for a public service announcement: Until they make a Silkwood shower for your brain, for the love of God don’t go read the description of the sex tape found on The Daily Beast.”
Too late for me. Between that and “snorkeling” I need a brain cleanse.
So Bethany, have you been absorbed into the D empire? Please share.
@Neal: See the post I just put up. Bethany has agreed to join us as a contributor. She still does what she does in her own world, but we now get some of her mind grapes over here on FrontBurner.
I don’t know which image is more disturbing: My mind grapes, or being absorbed.
I need a drink.
Absorbing intoxicating mind grapes?
I HAVE a drink, and “mind grapes” is is still pretty disturbing
I’m so excited, I can barely read.
I have not read the GQ article, and maybe this is addressed there, but inquiring minds want to know…does the IRS know about this money?
@FortWorthGuy – Mr. Baron was a wealthy democrat attorney. I’m sure that his family can produce the gift tax returns that were filed and show where he either paid the gift tax or applied the gift to his lifetime exclusion reducing the amount that he could leave to his family tax free.
As I recall, Bethany was the designated copy editor of the comments section. Which makes it all the more glorious that she misspelled Rielle Hunter’s name in her very first post. Sweet, sweet irony.
Yep, off to a great start, with the name of the subject of the first item misspelled in the headline AND the story. “Welcome back.”
Yes, yes. Ironic. Fixed. Love you all.
Bethany was never gone, you just had to click over to her own little world of excellent writing, which I’m sure you all did – right? Right?
Rielle, your rielle-ity is too much to hear.
Let me ask, now seperated, is he anywhere near?
Grow up girl, it’s time to realize he’s history.
His choices were his, there’s really no mystery.
Perhaps you’ve not heard of the recipe for occasions
When love is professed quickly in hopes of persuasion:
“Insert cucumber to jar, add sugar, spice and fickle,
Fill with vinegar, let set, you’ll soon have a pickle.”
I’m just saying, if anyone here is to blame,
Look no further than you, blaming E is so lame.
So see you at the movies, your love film’s destination?
Showing soon in truck stops, all over the nation.
Dubious Brother is right on the money. But the IRS is rightfully suspicious of the notion of gifts. For example, it is assumed that companies do not give gifts to their employees, and therefore such largess is included in the employees’ income. Similarly, the campaign contribution laws assume that financial altruism to candidates or their campaigns is inherently suspect. If Fred were alive, and even with his inestimable skills of persuasion, I seriously doubt that he would be able to answer the simple question: why did you give Rielle Hunter a gift?
Frontburner in now back in my bookmarks. Can’t wait to read more from you (on here) Bethany!