Lawyers for John Edwards Fight Back in Mistress Scandal

Jan. 29, 2010— -- Lawyers for former presidential contender John Edwards lashed out at Andrew Young today, saying his former aide is "primarily motivated by financial gain" in publishing a book packed with allegations about Edwards' affair with a mistress and his elaborate efforts to cover it up.

Edwards has previously declined to comment on the allegations leveled by Young in interviews with ABC's "20/20" and in his book "The Politician," which will be released Saturday. His lawyers, however, issued a statement today.

"While we have not had an opportunity to view the interview or read the book, we urge extreme caution by everyone involved. From media reports, it is obvious that there are many allegations which are simply false. It appears that Andrew Young is primarily motivated by financial gain and media attention," the statement said.

The statement was released by Wade M. Smith and James P. Cooney III, attorneys for Edwards.

Edwards' former mistress Rielle Hunter also fought back today, winning a temporary restraining order that prevents Young from distributing a video and photos she claims belong to her.

"In or about September 2006, using my video camera, I authored a personal video recording that depicted matters of a very private and personal nature," Hunter wrote in an affidavit filed Thursday. "In 2006, I was also having an intimate relationship with Edwards."

Watch "20/20" at 10 p.m. ET and "Nightline" at 11:35 p.m. ET Friday, Jan. 29, to see Andrew Young's exclusive interview. Then tune in to "Good Morning America" Monday, Feb. 1, when Young will appear for his first live interview.

Hunter, who gave birth to Edwards' love child nearly two years ago, wants the tape returned to her.

She has also filed a lawsuit against Andrew and Cheri Young that seeks damages for invasion of privacy.

A source close to Young told ABC News, "A local judge has granted a TRO requesting vague material, but this is an unsettled matter and Andrew is litigating it."

In an interview with "20/20" Andrew and Cheri Young detailed how they discovered what they said was a sex tape made by Edwards.

Cleaning their house after hiding Hunter there for a while, the Youngs said they found some of her items in the trash.

"There was one tape that was marked 'special,'" Young told ABC News' Bob Woodruff in an exclusive interview. "It's a sex tape of Rielle and John Edwards made just a couple of months before the Iowa caucuses."