Wednesday, June 13, 2012

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) -- Federal prosecutors have moved to drop all charges against John Edwards after his corruption trial ended last month in a deadlocked jury.

A jury in North Carolina acquitted the former presidential candidate last month on one count of accepting illegal campaign contributions. It deadlocked on five other felony counts, resulting in a mistrial on those charges.

A U.S. Justice Department statement on Wednesday said prosecutors will not seek to retry Edwards on the five unresolved counts.

Edwards was accused of masterminding a scheme to use about $1 million in secret payments from two wealthy political donors to hide his pregnant mistress as he sought the White House in 2008.

(Copyright 2012, The Associated Press)