Two lawyers who helped deflate rumors of John Edwards' affair had ties to him.

New York attorney Robert Gordon represented Rielle Hunter, while Washington lawyer Pamela Marple worked for Andrew Young, the purported father of Hunter's child.

Statements issued by the two attorneys independently in late 2007 seemed to put to rest the story of an affair then printed in the National Enquirer.

Both lawyers have worked with Fred Baron, a wealthy Dallas lawyer and former finance chairman for the Edwards campaign. Gordon worked with Baron on class-action personal injury cases and Marple helped defend a lawsuit brought against both men by an asbestos manufacturer.

Baron has given conflicting reports of what he knew about how the two lawyers came to represent Hunter and Young. (NYT) 

Fred Baron, the chief campaign money raiser for former Sen. John Edwards, said he provided help to those involved in Edwards’ extra-marital affair.

"I decided independently to help two friends and former colleagues rebuild their lives when harassment by supermarket tabloids made it impossible for them to conduct a normal life," Baron, a Dallas trial lawyer said in a statement, Rob Christensen reports.

"John Edwards was not aware that assistance was provided to anyone involved in this matter," Baron said. "I did it of my own voilition and without the knowledge, instruction, or suggestion of John Edwards or anyone else. The assistance was offered and accepted without condition."

Although Baron did not name any names, he was apparently referring to Rielle Hunter, with whom Edwards had an affair, and Andrew Young, a former Edwards aide, who has said he fathered Hunter’s child.

Hunter and Young had been living separately first at an upscale development in Chapel Hill and later in Santa Barbara.