Edwards Mistress Battles for Control of Alleged Sex Tape

Rielle Hunter, with child, and former presidential candidate John Edwards. (AP)

The battle for the tape is on.

John Edwards' former mistress filed a temporary restraining order seeking to wrest control of an alleged sex tape that is at the heart of a tell-all book about to be released by a onetime Edwards confidante.

Rielle Hunter, who was Edwards' campaign videographer before their tumultuous affair helped sink his presidential aspirations and left her carrying his child, filed court papers Friday in North Carolina seeking the return of photographs and a "very private and personal" video she made while working for Edwards.

The video is currently in the hands of Andrew Young, who is releasing a book next week in which he details the purported sex tape. Young describes discovering a DVD that showed Edwards involved with a "visibly pregnant" woman he determined to be Hunter.

Edwards, through attorneys, suggested that Young can't be trusted.

"From media reports, it is obvious that there are many allegations which are simply false," the statement released by the attorneys' says. "It appears that Andrew Young is primarily motivated by financial gain and media attention."

Authorities said in court filings obtained Friday by The Associated Press that Young's attorney said he could not immediately turn over the tape. A press release for the book noted that Young has already turned the tape over to a grand jury.

His book, "The Politician" is set to be released Feb. 2 and marks a 180-degree turn for a man once doggedly dedicated to Edwards. Young, who is married, originally asserted that he was the father of Hunter's child, a woeful attempt to protect his former boss, who admitted paternity last week. Edwards and his wife of 32 years have since separated.

The Associated press contributed to this report.