Best of '20/20' in 2010: Sex Tapes, Political Scandals and Swim Coach Molestation

By LINDSEY ANTIS

Dec. 31, 2010

(ABCNEWS.com)

"20/20" diligently investigated the year's biggest breaking news events, international stories, political scandals and more. Here's a look back at our most popular stories of 2010 on ABCNews.com.

ABC News Investigation: USA Swimming Coaches Molested, Secretly Taped Dozens of Teen Swimmers

In a sex abuse scandal that some victims compare to what happened in the Catholic Church, at least 36 swimming coaches have been banned for life by the USA Swimming organization over the last 10 years because of sexual misconduct. The coaches have molested, fondled and abused dozens of swimmers, according to court records and interviews conducted by ABC News.

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Abby Sunderland Feared Lost at Sea

This year 16-year-old Abby Sunderland took on a tremendous feat: she attempted to sail around the world alone. Her trip went along smoothly until June, when she hit a storm near Madagascar. According to her mother, MaryAnne Sunderland, Abby was in 20-25 foot waves with 35-knot winds when she lost contact. Abby was later rescued though her ship sustained some damage.

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John Edwards Made Sex Tape, Abortion Plea, Aide Says

2010 was a trying year for ex-presidential candidate John Edwards. In January, former aide Andrew Young revealed to 20/20 that he had a sex tape that he says was of John Edwards and Rielle Hunter. Young and his wife claimed that they found the tape inside a box that Hunter left behind in a rented home.

Teen Attempts Solo Sail Around World Watch Video

Ex-Aide Exposes Secrets in Edwards' Affair Watch Video

Wife Meets Mistress: Candidate's Worlds Collide Watch Video

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John and Elizabeth Edwards Legally Separated

By the end of January, John Edwards' and wife Elizabeth had separated. John moved out of the family home in North Carolina. He released a statement shortly after the separation saying, "It is an extraordinarily sad moment, but I love my children more than anything and still care deeply about Elizabeth."

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Jaycee Dugard Exclusive: 'It's Been a Long Haul'

Jaycee Dugard was just 11 years old when she was kidnapped on her way to school. She was missing for 18 years until police discovered her and reunited her with her family. "20/20" exclusively obtained some of the first video of Dugard and her family just after their reunion, showing them baking cookies. Jaycee's mother Terry Probyn released a statement to "thank [the public] for the love and support that you've given us these past few months."

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Joran van der Sloot's Ex-Girlfriend on Dutch Playboy's Other Side

Dutch playboy Joran van der Sloot first gained notoriety when American student Natalee Halloway disappeared in Aruba in 2005. Some believe that he was the last person to see her. He reentered the media this year when he was accused of -- and later confessed to -- murdering 21-year-old Peruvian Stephany Flores Ramirez. Now he is in a Peruvian jail.

However, not all the news about van der Sloot was negative in 2010. "20/20" spoke with his ex-girlfriend Melody Granadillo, who remembered van der Sloot as a kind and generous boyfriend who showered her with thoughtful gifts and love notes. Despite their breakup, the two stayed in touch. "20/20" also spoke with van der Sloot's mother, Anita, who echoed Melody's sentiments saying Joran "is not a murderer."

Click here to read more from ex-girlfriend Melody Granadillo.

Click here to read more from Joran's mother Anita.