John Edwards, former Democratic Senator and vice-presidential running mate of John Kerry in 2004, could be prosecuted in a case relating to campaign rule violation, it has been reported.

ABC News reported that the Department of Justice has given green signal for the prosecution of Edwards. Citing sources, the network said the former North Carolina Senator has been informed about this.

Edwards has been in the eye of a storm ever since it was revealed that he had an affair with a campaign aide and that he fathered a child with her. His presidential campaign bit the dust in face of damning revelations and his personal life came to shambles as his wife sought a divorce.

His political and personal life were strained further when it emerged that he may have violated campaign rules to support his mistress, Rielle Hunter, and protect he identity.

A federal grand jury investigation has focused on allegations that Edwards has used more than $1 million of campaign money to protect the identity of Hunter.

Edwards' former aide Andrew Young claimed he was the father of Hunter's daughter, apparently trying to save the presidential campaign of Edwards. However, he admitted later on that it was a false claim and revealed the whole story in a tell-all book.

Edwards' marriage hit the rocks following this and his wife Elizabeth, who was fighting cancer, got a divorce from him. Elizabeth died of cancer early this year.

Young's book tore through Edwards' weak defenses as he revealed that the former Senator knew about the source of the money used to fund Hunter and her daughter.

Making matters worse, a video tape showing Edwards performing a sex act on Hunter was revealed and Edwards was testified in court over it. Edwards was the star witness in the privacy case filed by Hunter against Andrew Young. Hunter accused Young of forcibly taking the video tape from a place they shared while they were trying to hide her identity and spare Edwards of embarrassment.

Young’s wife Cheri said in an Oprah Winfrey show that Edwards appeared naked in the tape and that he looked aware that he was being taped. I won't give any fine details, but I'll tell you yes, he is naked. ... He is performing sexual acts. The woman is holding the camera. He is aware he is being taped.

There were reports that Edwards, a prominent trial lawyer before becoming a rising star in the Democratic party, had become suicidal over the embarrassing developments.

Court Storm Department of justice Oprah winfrey