Fred Baron dies at 61; Dallas attorney, prominent Democratic fundraiser

Fred Baron, a prominent Democratic fundraiser linked to the John Edwards mistress scandal, has died of cancer in Texas. He was 61.

A spokeswoman for Baron’s Dallas law firm said he died Thursday afternoon. He had obtained an experimental drug this month in hopes of treating his multiple myeloma. But the drug was not approved for his disease.

Baron made headlines over the summer when he acknowledged sending money to Edwards’ former mistress. Baron was national finance chairman for Edwards’ presidential campaign. He has said the North Carolina politician had no involvement with the payments. They were used to resettle Edwards’ mistress in California.

Baron founded the Baron and Budd law firm but sold his interest several years ago. He has focused on raising funds for Democratic candidates in Texas and on the national stage in recent years.