He said Ms. Hunter and another Edwards aide, Andrew Young, who claimed paternity of Ms. Hunter's child, were being dogged by tabloid reporters chasing rumors of the affair and pregnancy.

"I made a decision on my own, without talking to Edwards or anybody, to try to help them move to a community to try to get away from those folks," Mr. Baron said.

He said he used his own money – not campaign funds – but did not disclose how much he provided. Both Ms. Hunter, who now lives in Santa Barbara, Calif., and Mr. Young worked under Mr. Baron for the campaign.

So, who's under investigation now? It can't be Fred Baron since he's no longer alive. Is it John Edwards...or Rielle Hunter and/or Andrew Young and his wife?

It could be the Justice Department doesn't believe (a) Fred Baron provided the funds or (b) used his own money or [c] provided the funds without the knowledge of John Edwards. Or, it could be John Edwards is cleared, Baron's version checks out, and they are investigating whether Rielle Hunter and/or the Youngs failed to tell the truth and committed obstruction of justice-type offenses.