So that’s who bought Edwards’ mansion

When former North Carolina senator and Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards finally succeeded last month in selling his Georgetown mansion for $5.2 million after it had languished on the market, the names of the buyers were not disclosed.

At the time, Edwards’ spokeswoman told reporters that the house had been sold to an unidentified corporation. In reality, the buyers were Paul and Terry Klaassen, according to several sources and confirmed by Edwards’ spokeswoman Thursday.

The wealthy founders of Sunrise Senior Living, the nation’s largest chain of assisted-living housing for seniors, the Klaassens are cooperating with a government inquiry in connection with accounting practices and stock options exercised by them and other company insiders. They are also the focus of legal complaints by some of the same unions whose support Edwards has been assiduously courting for his presidential bid.

The grand 18th century house had lingered on Washington’s slowing real estate market for more than 18 months. The Edwardses paid $3.8 million in 2002 for the six-bedroom home and did substantial renovations.

Edwards closed the deal in late December -- the night before he announced his presidential candidacy. Edwards aide Jennifer Palmieri said he left the details to real estate agent W. Ted Gossett. Gossett declined to reveal the Klaassens’ identity but said the buyer decided to purchase the mansion as a “surprise Christmas gift” for his wife.

Palmieri said Edwards had not delved into the Klaassens’ background: “They left it to be done at arm’s length, real estate agent to real estate agent.”

Asked about the allegations lodged against the Klaassens by their union stockholders, she added, “He believes all CEOs should follow the law, should protect their shareholders and should protect their workers, and he expects that will happen in this case as well.”