Jury selection will soon begin in the fraud trial of former U.S. presidential candidate John Edwards.

Edwards is charged with obtaining nearly $1 million in illegal contributions to help hide his pregnant mistress during his failed bid for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.

He was indicted on six counts of fraud and faces up to six years in prison and more than $1.5 million in fines. The trial is expected to last six weeks with testimony beginning in on April 23.

Prosecutors say Edwards passed funds through his campaign manager to keep secret the affair the candidate had with campaign videographer Rielle Hunter.

Edwards initially denied the affair and asked a campaign aide to falsely claim paternity to the child.