Mug shots of John Edwards released

Spurred by a Freedom of Information Act request from CNN, the government Wednesday released mug shots of indicted former presidential candidate John Edwards.

Edwards pleaded not guilty in a North Carolina federal court earlier this month to charges that he funneled dollars intended for his campaign for use in an effort to shield his relationship with mistress Rielle Hunter from becoming public.

A grand jury charged Edwards, 58, with six felony counts, including conspiracy, issuing false statements and evading laws that limit federal campaign limits.

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The government alleges that two key Edwards supporters, Rachel “Bunny” Mellon and Fred Baron, now deceased, showered the campaign with hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits that were directly used to pay for Hunter’s housing and travel costs.

Edwards was charged by the Justice Department after efforts to strike a plea deal collapsed.

Edwards is the father of Hunter’s daughter. The two began a romance while Hunter was serving as videographer during Edwards’ 2008 presidential campaign. Edwards ultimately confessed to the affair with Hunter, but denied paternity for months. A former aide, Andrew Young, instead claimed he was the father.

Edwards’ estranged wife, Elizabeth, died of cancer in December.

The one-time plaintiffs lawyer is a former senator from North Carolina. He was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2004.