NEW YORK - Federal prosecutors say they will not bring criminal charges against former Gov. Eliot Spitzer for his role in a prostitution scandal.

The announcement was made Thursday by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia. Garcia said that after a thorough investigation, his office found no evidence that Spitzer or his office misused public or campaign funds for prostitution.

Garcia said: "We have concluded that the public interest would not be further advanced by filing criminal charges in this matter."

The news removes a huge legal cloud surrounding Spitzer, who was forced from office in March after it was revealed that he paid for high-priced call girls