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John Edwards corruption charges dropped | John Edwards corruption charges dropped |
(40 minutes later) | |
US prosecutors have dropped the five remaining campaign finance fraud charges against former Senator John Edwards, following a mistrial. | US prosecutors have dropped the five remaining campaign finance fraud charges against former Senator John Edwards, following a mistrial. |
The two-time presidential candidate was declared not guilty of one charge, but the jury deadlocked on the other five. | The two-time presidential candidate was declared not guilty of one charge, but the jury deadlocked on the other five. |
Mr Edwards, 58, denied using donor funds to hide his mistress's pregnancy during his 2008 run for the presidency. | Mr Edwards, 58, denied using donor funds to hide his mistress's pregnancy during his 2008 run for the presidency. |
In a statement, the US justice department said it would not seek to retry the ex-North Carolina senator. | In a statement, the US justice department said it would not seek to retry the ex-North Carolina senator. |
He could have faced up to 30 years in jail and $1.5m (£945,000) in fines if convicted of all charges. | |
Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer told the Associated Press that his department knew the Edwards case would be challenging but it was their duty "to bring hard cases". | |
"Last month, the government put forward its best case against Mr Edwards, and I am proud of the skilled and professional way in which our prosecutors... conducted this trial," Mr Breuer said. | |
Lawyers for Mr Edwards responded in a statement they were pleased with the government's decision, and that a second trial would have had the same outcome. | |
"We are very glad that, after living under this cloud for over three years, John and his family can have their lives back and enjoy the peace they deserve," they said. |