Edwards is entitled to the stay "in order to protect his constitutional rights to due process, a fair trial and against self-incrimination," the filing states.
Edwards is the star witness in a privacy lawsuit his mistress Rielle Hunter filed against former Edwards campaign aide Andrew Young. Hunter contends Young improperly took from her sensitive materials, including a reputed sex tape showing Edwards. She wants the items returned to her.
Young said Hunter left them behind after leaving a hideout they shared while covering up Edwards' affair during the 2008 presidential campaign. Hunter said in an affidavit that she created a private video in September 2006.
The filing says Young's attorneys want to question the former senator about the indictment and that Edwards' attorneys believe Young has agreed to cooperate with the government. It says they believe Young is an unnamed and unindicted co-conspirator in the case and will be a material witness.
"Thus, a material witness for the Government, who is under an obligation to cooperate with the Government, proposes to have his attorney examine Senator Edwards under oath about the subject matter of the Indictment," says the motion, which was filed Thursday.
Young's attorneys, Robert Elliot and David Pishko of Winston-Salem, didn't immediately respond to attempts to reach them for comment.
Edwards was charged last week with six federal counts also related to Hunter. The government accused him of improperly using campaign money to keep Hunter out of the public eye as he pursued the White House. The charges include conspiracy, taking illegal campaign contributions and making false statements.
Edwards has insisted he did not break the law.
