( CNN ) -- Jury selection begins Thursday in a Greensboro , North Carolina , federal courtroom in the trial of former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards . Edwards is charged with six felony and misdemeanor counts related to the money dealings of his failed 2008 presidential campaign . Rielle Hunter , Edwards ' former mistress , is expected to testify at the trial . A major issue in the approaching trial is whether money given to support Hunter , by the former candidate 's benefactors , should have been considered donations toward his presidential campaign . Edwards denies any wrongdoing , claiming the money was a gift . Edwards is accused of conspiracy , issuing false statements and violating campaign contribution laws . If convicted on all counts , Edwards could face 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $ 1.5 million . Edwards ' attorneys have claimed the investigation and prosecution are politically motivated , and the charges do not clearly establish any violation of election law . Edwards was Sen. John Kerry 's running mate on the 2004 Democratic presidential ticket . His wife , Elizabeth , died of cancer in December 2010 . Elizabeth and John Edwards separated that year , shortly after he admitted that he had fathered a daughter with Hunter , who was hired to make documentary videos for his 2008 campaign . CNN 's Joe Sutton contributed to this report .
If convicted on all charges , John Edwards could face 30 years in prison . Edwards ' upcoming criminal trial will look at whether campaign money went to Rielle Hunter . Hunter , Edwards ' former girlfriend , was hired to make documentary videos for 2008 elections . Edwards denies any wrongdoing .