House arrest ends; Edwards plans public events

Edwin Edwards ended his home detention today and soon will be attending public events, nearly nine years after heading to prison for a corruption conviction. In a Facebook posting, Edwards’ fiancée, Trina Grimes Scott, announced the four-term former governor had signed forms officially ending his six-month home detention and allowing him to begin a series of planned public appearances around Louisiana. “FREE AT LAST! … FREE AT LAST!!! IT’S OFFICIAL!!” Scott wrote. The charismatic and popular politician plans to embark on a book tour, which will include a stop at the CitiPlace Barnes & Noble at 2 p.m. July 16. He’s in talks for a reality TV show. He’s making plans for a third wedding. And he’s having an 84th birthday party in the French Quarter on July 30. His return to freedom, however, was understated—not marked with the flash and cunning commentary for which the former governor has long been known. The paperwork was signed in private, and Edwards simply called his biographer Leo Honeycutt to notify reporters about the milestone. “Everything has been cleared. My halfway tour is over,” Edwards said in the voicemail played for reporters. Edwards served eight years in prison for a bribery and extortion scheme to rig riverboat casino licenses. The Democrat dominated Louisiana politics for decades, but he can only re-enter the political scene as an adviser, commentator or supporter of another candidate. Because of his conviction, Edwards can’t make a bid for elected office until 15 years after his sentence completion, unless he is pardoned.