Andrew and Cheri Young: How the John Edwards Scandal Impacted Their family
EmailThis morning on Good Morning America I sat down with both Andrew Young and his wife Cheri to talk about the toll their scandal took on their young family. Cheri said she was caught in a desperate situation when her husband proposed telling the public Rielle Hunter’s baby belonged to him “Andrew had been taken off the campaign payroll. We were dependent on a job that John Edwards set up [the cover-up].”
But just what did Andrew and Cheri tell their children? “We told (them) it was somebody daddy worked with,” Cheri says “that was just staying with us for a brief period…and then the children started asking more questions. Ya know ‘why do you have to go get her groceries mom?’”
And they claim that their home video, full of seemingly happy moments at home with Hunter was actually just an act, all for the kids “Just because we’re happy in a video doesn’t mean we were happy people. We had to be happy.” Cheri said.
But it wasn’t just this ordeal that altered family life for the Youngs. For years Andrew would often put the Edwards before his own family “There were numerous times when Cheri would say ‘Andrew you need to be home” and I would say “I can’t.”
Watch the interview here:
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It is time for more people, like the Youngs, to expose the corruption and improper behavior, of our politicians.
To remain silent, is to condone these corrupt individuals, and to allow them to operate to impunity.
I applaud and commend the exposure of this corrupt side of John Edwards, and I hope that this will forever crush his plans to gain more power in government.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | February 2, 2010, 9:40 am 9:40 am
They are both losers who have used up their fifteen minutes of shame. Go away!
Posted by: Visitor | February 2, 2010, 9:55 am 9:55 am
There are lots of jobs in the world. Instead of being such immoral creeps, why not go get another job? You sold your souls and your family for a lifestyle you wanted but weren’t willing to work for so shut the hell up and GO AWAY!
Posted by: Team Elizabeth | February 2, 2010, 10:04 am 10:04 am
They are going to be impacted with large sums of money with this new book. Trust me, somewhere along this wild and crazy ride, they both started plotting to get rich at Edwards expense.
Posted by: Huh | February 2, 2010, 10:11 am 10:11 am
Cheri is as bad as her husband. I saw those video clips and she was having the time of her life . . . on other people’s money.
Both the Youngs plotted and schemed to get rich off their aiding and abetting Edwards. Too bad they weren’t smart enough to successfully commit extortion. They need to go back and read some more John Grisham novels to learn how the bad guys do it.
Posted by: Gigi | February 2, 2010, 10:25 am 10:25 am
The rumor around Chapel Hill is that Andrew was ###### Hunter (guess he wanted what his boss was getting) whenever Edwards wasn’t around. Wake up and smell the coffee Cheri. Your husband is a low life cheater, too.
Posted by: Jordan | February 2, 2010, 10:29 am 10:29 am
I don’t know about Young and Hunter but supposedly Young had many other affairs over the years. There have even been reports online the Youngs were part of a swingers club.
Considering the lack of morals they willingly admit to in the book, nothing seems to far-fetched to believe with this couple.
Posted by: Go 'Heels | February 2, 2010, 10:46 am 10:46 am
If he had Just Said No he’d still be employable. But please do report if/when he is offered a job.
Posted by: Carol | February 2, 2010, 10:48 am 10:48 am
Thanks Carol. I want to know who would hire him so I can be sure to NEVER do business with that organization.
Posted by: Brenda | February 2, 2010, 11:06 am 11:06 am
All this Edwards stuff imho typical Southern religious holier than thou garbage.
Get off of it jerkos.
Posted by: Austin Wolff | February 2, 2010, 11:40 am 11:40 am
Writing and talking ab starry stars is an universal habit.
The cause for this ingrained habit of veneration of some people is the division of people into lesser- and more-valued people.
Actually, the divisiveness among us equals was probably started ca 15 yrs ago by shamans; later perfected by priests-rulers.
From this, all iniquities on interpersonal and int’l levels resulted.
Posted by: bozhidar balkas vancouver | February 2, 2010, 11:55 am 11:55 am
Shockingly absent from the Young’s interview was any sort of compassion for Elizabeth as wife and partner of John E. Why did Cheri not pick up her cell phone and let Elizabeth in on the affair, so that she could protect herself from her husband’s infidelity? This sort of ridiculous subterfuge could not go on if other women , wives and mothers refused to keep men’s affairs secret from their wives.
Posted by: mary sue walsh | February 2, 2010, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm
Both Andrew and Cheri look so plastic – as fake on the outside as they are empty on the inside!
Money can’t buy happiness but it can by botox, hair plugs, fake tans, etc.
Posted by: Beryl | February 2, 2010, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
These people are disgusting. I do feel sorry for their children (actually for all the children involved). I can’t imagine growing up with these people as parents, especially since all their friends, everyone at school and any other place they go, will now know everything. Maybe someone with money will pony up some cash to provide the therapy these children will desperately need.
Posted by: anonymous | February 2, 2010, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm
Too bad ABC’s interviewers don’t ask questions about Young’s own history (legal problems, alcohol abuse, burglary, rumors of his own infidelity). The also don’t call him out on inconsistencies in his “excuses” for their actions or his ever changing stories. For example, they claim their actions were to protect the dying Elizabeth but they were helping the affair to happen long before her cancer returned. They also said it was apparent in the press conference announcing the return that she would die quickly but go to the videotape – no such thing is true.
ABC pays for interviews. Wonder how much they paid the Youngs?
ABC and journalism don’t go together!
Posted by: Tricia | February 2, 2010, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
One word describes Andy and Cheri: CREEPY!
Posted by: secretagent | February 2, 2010, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
My, my,my…how some people can live with themselves is way beyond my comprehension. What hypocrites and what great actors. I could have sworn they were having fun on those videotapes…never dreamt they were “suffering”. These folks give prostitutes a bad name. At last a prostitute doesn’t stand behind fake morality, and in many case is just trying to make a living. Oops! My mistake..that’s what the Youngs are doing….trying to make a living. With all their well spoken piety, they are nothing but low class, ammoral and immoral
Posted by: Meems | February 2, 2010, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
Doesn’t ABC realize the people they are hurting by wasting so much time on these two idiots are Elizabeth Edwards and her children? Move along and find some real news!
Posted by: Debby | February 2, 2010, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm
THis couple is so transparent. They sold out for money and now have the audacity to talk about their emotional pain,
Posted by: Joe | February 2, 2010, 3:28 pm 3:28 pm
ABC is radically misusing George Stephanopoulos. This is nothing but gossip, not journalism.
Posted by: Cathy DiNovo | February 2, 2010, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm
Two wrongs don’t make a right. What’s done in the dark will always come to the light. No matter who you are or your status. You’ll always reap what you sow.
Posted by: Sherryl | February 2, 2010, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
Oh no, the Youngs have to appear in court on Thursday for not complying with the court order. How many interviews will they have to miss?
By the way, are they doing book signings? I’d love to show up with some rotten tomatoes.
Posted by: Andi | February 2, 2010, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
Oh, those righteously decent liberals……..
Posted by: John | February 2, 2010, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm
Freaky that Andrew Young has such an obvious man-crush on John Edwards. I bet there is more to that story than is in the book.
Freakier is that Cheri Young obviously was okay with her husband’s crush on another man.
Freakiest is they both wrote a book sharing their dysfunctional relationships with the world.
Bye, bye! We’re done with you both.
Posted by: Teacher | February 2, 2010, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm
First ABC devotes way too much time to the Youngs. Next up: Jenny Sanford.
ABC then American Broadcasting Company.
ABC now All ‘Bout C@#%.
Posted by: Panda | February 2, 2010, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm
Why do the Andrew and Cherie Young get to ignore a court order? They now have to appear on Friday at 10 a.m. to say why they shouldn’t be held in contempt. If it had been the John and Mary Doe, they’d have been hauled in already.
And they claim they don’t get special treatment. They should both get locked up.
Posted by: George | February 2, 2010, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
I can understand why everyone is busting on the Youngs but let’s not forget what Sen Edwards has done including misuse of campaign money, lying not only to his wife but to everyone. Andrew Young & Sen Edwards are two of a kind.
The public has lost all trust for Politicians.
Posted by: S. Oconnell | February 2, 2010, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm
these people are both as sick as edwards is.
i feel no pitty for them at all they are not victims. they helped edwards committ adultry they lied to their kids.
i would never ever buy this book and allow these nuts to make 2cents from what they did.
did they ever consider the fact the a lying creep didn;t deserve to be the leader of the free world. this guy young is a low life after money.
Posted by: maryann | February 2, 2010, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm
These comments all sound like they were written by John Edwards’ Public Relations Firm. I have no respect for a man I once admired. I just thank God he was not elected and that he was exposed as the rat he seems to be.
Posted by: Margaret | February 2, 2010, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm
I love how people who posts negative comments about the youngs think they have it figured out when they really dont know nothing. If anybody in this world was promised money to do the same thing they would because this is a selfish money hungry world and if anybody knew they could be jobless for awile if they didnt go along with this they would have done the same thing. Dont go criticizing the youngs when EDWARDS is the reason for all of this. The youngs did what everybody else would have done. Also people making the comments about how fake they look and that other garbage, dont be jealous because you know nothing and live in a double wide.
Posted by: mike | February 2, 2010, 9:02 pm 9:02 pm
One rat is never alone – there are always others around. Andrew and Cheri are two of the rats that kept John company. (Hunter too.) They should all crawl away and leave everyone alone.
Posted by: Blue Dog | February 2, 2010, 9:05 pm 9:05 pm
I’m so GLAD to read all these comments about mr. & mrs. creepoid young. How dare cheri let her husband take the wrap for edwards affair and child. Think of what her kids must have gone thru in school with their fathers mistress and with their child living in the same house?? how berating and humiliating for youngs kids!! No matter of money would compensate for what those kids, and wife, (cheri) went thru. This was a well thought out setup from the word go. And now to hit every media outlet as if they were the good guys?? r u kidding me? talk about immoral and unethical. what a way to raise your kids andrew!
Posted by: kathy | February 2, 2010, 11:55 pm 11:55 pm
Cheri was an enabler of her husband in all he did. She is as much of a money grubbing gold digger as her husband and the mistress. The responsibility belongs to her, too, when her children suffer.
Posted by: Diana | February 3, 2010, 2:25 am 2:25 am
The Youngs were equally corrupt for keeping and aiding in the coverup. Ms. Edwards knew her husband was a cheater long ago, just like Tiger’s wife knew. Nobody is so stupid as to miss cheating so bold – 14 affairs!
Also, it is very bad judgment for GMA to interview a common theif, just because he’s stealing from celebrities. Has our media and celebrity crazed society reached the point where even their thieves are news?!
Posted by: Cindy | February 3, 2010, 8:01 am 8:01 am
In today’s news:
A Pittsboro judge has warned former aide to John Edwards turned tell-all author Andrew Young and wife Cheri that jail time could be in the couple’s future if requested materials are not handed in.
On Monday, in a written summons, North Carolina Superior Court Judge Abraham Penn Jones warned the duo, “Your failure to personally appear and your failure to fully comply with this order will be grounds for civil or criminal contempt for those failures.”
Please lock them both up and throw away the key so we don’t have to hear from them again.
Posted by: Marissa | February 3, 2010, 8:03 am 8:03 am
I knew Andrew in col1ege UNC. This does not surprise me. I’m disgusted by his behavior, its so apparent he is lying and almost enjoying it. Ashamed to have at one point called him my friend.
Posted by: Amy | February 3, 2010, 10:00 am 10:00 am
This is so funny.. ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN sat on this story for 2 years..It took REAL journalist at the National Enquirer to break this story, they were NOT concerned with protecting the Democrat party
Now ABC sees some money in this for them, thats why they are reporting on it
Posted by: another crisis, another photo op | February 3, 2010, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
This is for the whole world to see whatkind of people that we have trying to become elected officals for us as citizens of the USA. If people like John Edwards, Sarah Palin, and this guy,who said he did this because he needed his job, then we are in more trouble in America than I realized. How Sad.Now, for the media and the rest of us to keep talking about trash like this, we too are in trouble, you throw out trash, lets put it in the dump.There is important issues that need out attention like jobs, education, housing and our children.
Posted by: Wilma | February 3, 2010, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm
Clarify something for me, please. How did the Youngs go from victims to “criminals” in this mess? I feel empathy for them. They did what they did for Edwards believing full-well that he would be the next president, and they believed he had the credentials. Only later on did they realize what a deceitful, sneaky SOB he is. Again, what are we charging them with? Oh, yeh loyalty gone BAD! I for one, say “Kuddos” to them for standing up and exposing Mr. E.
Posted by: Judy | February 3, 2010, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
These two people are more shady than they appear to be . How could another woman with kids and being a woman herself do something like this to Elisabeth Edwards . This woman lost a son , had cancer and was ok for awhile and now it is back . These people kicked Elisabeth while she was down and are still saying they love her, please . They only want MONEY………
Posted by: DWB | February 3, 2010, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm
WoW John Edwards whole plan was thwarted because Elizabeth Edwards did not die.
He will never get the damage done until he is financially ruined.
Posted by: Kayla | February 3, 2010, 11:42 pm 11:42 pm
What, did I just read this correctly? According to the WSJ, JE beat his wife-who has terminal breast cancer? This just continues to get better. John ,you just may have to re-build Haiti, one house at a time (with your malpractice money)if you hope to return.
Posted by: stevemb12 | February 4, 2010, 4:46 am 4:46 am
JE, what a piece of work.Spend all of that malpractice money on re-building Haiti.
Posted by: greg | February 4, 2010, 4:59 am 4:59 am
Andrew Young deserves to be right where he put himself – unemployable and shunned. Maybe he’ll make money off of this book, but it exposes to the world (and Young’s children & family) that Young is a selfish, greedy, sleazebag. Young knew in the very beginning that Edwards was sleeping with another woman in his WIFE’s BED and all that both Youngs cared about was what they could get out of the deal. My heart goes out to Elizabeth and her family… For self serving sociopaths Young, Reille Hunter, and John Edwards I feel disgust, disbelief, and a complete lack of sympathy. And, the whole “finding the sex tape” story smells “fishy” to me… Wouldn’t be surprised if Reille and the Youngs were somehow involved or responsible. No doubt that John Edwards is beyond a sick fool, but somehow Edwards appears to have been far more “set up” by Hunter and Young than the reverse. Those screaming “We are Victims!” need only to look in the mirror to see whom to blame.
Posted by: Russ | February 4, 2010, 8:59 am 8:59 am
You people are such hippocrites. If someone offered you millions you would take it too. Stop with the moral crap. You are no better.
Posted by: Cindy Johnson | February 4, 2010, 10:53 am 10:53 am
I love watching GMA but I got to tell you the second day when you had on the Youngs I could not watch it so I switched to Morning Joe, who I really don’t like.
Don’t help these people make money that is what this is all about, the story tells it all, this is all about money are they would not be in this situation.
Posted by: Don | February 4, 2010, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
Another chapter in this whole sleazy mess. Edwards appears amoral – the only difference with this affair is he finally got caught. He certainly is a skilled manipulator. The Youngs, well, shame on them for not deciding early on that there were some lines that they just wouldn’t cross. Bottom line: The whole sorry lot deserve each other. When are political people going to remember the wise words of Mike Wallace: “Spin comes and spin goes, but the truth will always out.”
Posted by: C. L. | February 5, 2010, 10:06 am 10:06 am
I agree with Mary Sue and Meems… If the Youngs were friends with John and Elizabeth and their children for years, why didn’t someone protect Elizabeth by telling her or demanding that John tell her or stop the affair? The Youngs only cared about what they could get out of the deal; they werd NOT conflicted – they looked to be “living it up” in the tapes.
The Youngs really deserve what life brings them… When you consider what the Edward’s Children are facing at this time – it makes me sick that Andrew YOung released this book. The story was already out. This book is salt in the Edward’s children’s open wounds.
Andrew Young could have slipped into the silence for a while; healed his own family and then returned to society. People would have excused him as part of the group who believed in Edwards and got duped. Young would have then been able to find a good job with a “pat on the back” considered a person with too much trust and loyalty. By writing the book – for greed – the Youngs have exposed not only John Edwards, they exposed themselves… They are both now TOXIC for as far as time can tell…
Posted by: Chloe | February 5, 2010, 10:44 am 10:44 am
I think what’s disgusting is that all of you act like you personally know Andrew and Cheri Young. None of you have any idea what it was like for them in that situation. I say good for Andrew for exposing John Edwards, he is a worthless human being and had no concern for how his actions affected others. And good for him for admitting that a lot of it was for money. Money is a pretty big motivator, especially for a couple with children. Also how stupid to say they looked happy in the videos as if that’s bad. Of course they needed to be happy, they have children!!! You can be in a bad situation and still find things to smile about. Give the Youngs a break.
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 8, 2010, 12:01 am 12:01 am
These two are a sad sad couple. They are on Oprah right now and they aren’t going to last long. What do they share? Deception, lies and avarice. His book should be ignored. Kick them to the curb, time is up.
Posted by: AJP | February 24, 2010, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
I just finished reading Andrew Young’s book. It is a VERY good read and paints John and Elizabeth both as the human detritus they really are. But Andrew was in for the ride and it is hard to forgive him for being such a lapdog and flunky. He portrays himself as remorseful and reflective and does it well, but I think it is all an effort to rehabilitate his personality. I’d never want him for a friend.
Posted by: ana2rosa2003 | March 10, 2010, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm
Fake Fake Fake everything,thats life today
Posted by: bee madsen | May 23, 2010, 6:14 am 6:14 am
Gee, this is all happenening in a so called Christian community.
I think the only decent person is Eliziabeth Edwards. Her husband is a cheat, his friends Andrew and Cheri are no better. This is happening so often with American politicians. Greedy greedy greedy thats what its all about.
SP. South Africa
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