Politics

DOJ Dropping Case Against Edwards

By Matt Vasilogambros and National Journal
FILE - In this April 12, 2012, file photo, former presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. John Edwards arrives outside federal court following a lunch break in Greensboro, N.C., during jury selection in his criminal trial on alleged campaign finance violations. Defense lawyers for John Edwards will argue at his trial that much of the nearly $1 million in secret payments at issue in the criminal case against their client were actually siphoned off by a trusted aide to build an expansive dream home. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File) (National Journal)
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The Department of Justice has dismissed its case against former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards.

The government had five remaining counts against the former senator from North Carolina two weeks after a judge declared a mistrial in the case. The federal jury found Edwards not guilty on the other charge. He will not be retried.

"We knew that this case "“ like all campaign finance cases "“ would be challenging," Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer said in a statement, according to TPM. "But it is our duty to bring hard cases when we believe that the facts and the law support charging a candidate for high office with a crime.  "¦ The jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict on five of the six counts of the indictment, however, and we respect their judgment.  In the interest of justice, we have decided not to retry Mr. Edwards on those counts."

Edwards was accused of using campaign dollars to cover up an affair he was having with a mistress.