John Edwards Ordered to Pay U.S. Treasury $2 Million

Federal auditors said on Friday that former senator and presidential candidate John Edwards owes the government more than $2 million in undeclared campaign funds.

The Federal Election Commission unanimously approved an internal audit that said Edwards' campaign understated its cash on hand and overstated its expenses. Edwards now has 60 days to appeal or 90 days to begin payment.

The decision is distinct from a set of federal charges that Edwards secretly obtained and concealed campaign contributions from a wealthy benefactor in 2008, using them to buy the silence of a mistress and his love child. Revelations that he had been conducting the affair destroyed the career of a U.S. senator and presidential hopeful who was an ascendant leader in his party.