Timeline: John Edwards' Shame

John Edwards, a trial lawyer, former North Carolina senator, and two-time Democratic presidential candidate, may be facing campaign-finance charges resulting from an affair he had with former campaign aide Rielle Hunter, reports the Washington Post. Ever wonder about the events that led to these charges, and the demise of any hope Edwards has of becoming president? Here are some pertinent dates and events:

July 2004: Sen. John Kerry picks Edwards to be his running mate

John Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee, made a formal announcement that he has chosen John Edwards to be his running mate. He made this choice because of Edwards' values, notes CNN. Kerry called Edwards "a man who understands and defends the values of America."

Continued Kerry in a speech to supporters: "I know his skill. I know his passion. I know his strength. I know his conscience. I know his faith. He has honored the lessons of home and family that he learned in North Carolina, and he brings those values to shape a better America together with all of us."

November 2004: Elizabeth Edwards announces she has breast cancer

When Edwards' wife, Elizabeth Edwards, announced she had breast cancer, she was optimistic about her outcome. This optimism Elizabeth had for her recovery came from the fact that there was no evidence that the cancer had spread. According to her post on the blog Daily Kos, she said: "Thanks for asking about my health. When I last went to my oncologist in North Carolina, she said that I had a lot going on in my life -- and that is an understatement -- but cancer was not one of them. Yea!"

February 2006: Edwards meets Rielle Hunter

During a stop in New York City, Edwards stayed at the Regency Hotel, and he met Rielle Hunter in the lobby of the hotel, according to ABC News.

June 2006: Edwards hires Hunter

Hunter and her business partner, Mimi Hockman, signed a contract with Edwards' political action committee. At this point, Hunter begins to travel with Edwards as a staff filmmaker.

December 2006: Edwards announces presidential aspirations

Edwards formally announced on "Good Morning America" that he was making a second run for the presidency. "Today is the day," he told "Good Morning America" while visiting New Orleans during the city's rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. "I'm announcing I'm a candidate for president of the United States today."

March 2007: Elizabeth Edwards' cancer returns

During a special press conference, Elizabeth made the announcement that her cancer returned and it was terminal. She talked of treatment options that could keep her alive for years. According to the New York Times, she said, "I expect to do next week all the things I did last week, and the week after that and next year at the same time all the same things I did last week."

October 2007: Enquirer breaks news of the affair with Hunter; Edwards denies

The National Enquirer reported that Edwards had an affair with a former campaign staffer. This article doesn't mention Hunter's name or the source. Edwards goes public to announce that the story of his having an affair is untrue and ridiculous, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Feb. 27, 2008: Frances Quinn Hunter is born

Hunter gives birth to daughter Frances Quinn. The name of the father was left off the birth certificate.

August 2008: Edwards confirms the affair

In an interview with ABC News, Edwards confirmed he did have an affair with Hunter: "Two years ago I made a very serious mistake, a mistake that I am responsible for and no one else. In 2006, I told Elizabeth about the mistake, asked her for her forgiveness, asked God for his forgiveness. And we have kept this within our family since that time."

At this time, Edwards still denied that he was the father of her baby. Andrew Young, a former aide, claimed to be the father of Hunter's baby.

August 2009: Hunter testifies before a grand jury

Hunter was seen entering the federal courthouse in Raleigh, N.C. A grand jury was investigating the possibility that the funds given by Edwards' political committee to Hunter's film company may have been mishandled. The committee paid Hunter's company more than $100,000.

January 2010: Edward's admits Hunter's baby is his

Edwards made a bombshell announcement to the press that he was indeed Frances Quinn's father, reports ABC News. Edwards apologized for denying the baby was his. Edwards also announced in his statement that he was providing financial support for Frances.

Edwards released the following statement:

"I am Quinn's father. I will do everything in my power to provide her with the love and support she deserves. I have been able to spend time with her during the past year and trust that future efforts to show her the love and affection she deserves can be done privately and in peace.

"It was wrong for me ever to deny she was my daughter and hopefully one day, when she understands, she will forgive me. I have been providing financial support for Quinn and have reached an agreement with her mother to continue providing support in the future. "To all those I have disappointed and hurt, these words will never be enough, but I am truly sorry."

December 2010: Elizabeth Edwards dies of cancer

Elizabeth Edwards, by now estranged from her husband, dies in her North Carolina home from breast cancer complications. She was surrounded by family and friends at the time of her death, according to CBS. John was present when she passed away.

May 2011: DOJ gives the go-ahead to proceed with charges against Edwards

The Department of Justice made the move to file charges against Edwards. According to an NBC News/MSNBC report, the charges against Edwards are for alleged campaign finance law violations. These charges resulted from the cover-up of the extramarital affair Edwards had with Hunter.