Former John Edwards aide says ex-presidential candidate’s wife has threatened to sue him

Ex-aide: Elizabeth Edwards has threatened lawsuit

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — A former aide to John Edwards says the two-time presidential candidate’s wife has threatened to sue him for contributing to the downfall of their marriage.

Andrew Young said Wednesday that Elizabeth Edwards has threatened an “alienation of affection” lawsuit. Young said he had anticipated that the Edwards family would come after him following his book about the candidate’s affair.

An alienation of affection lawsuit allows a person to sue a third party for contributing to the breakup of a marriage. Jilted spouses typically seek money from their partner’s lover.

North Carolina is one of only about a half-dozen states that still have such a law.

A spokeswoman and an attorney for Elizabeth Edwards declined to comment.