Spitzer avoids prostitution charges

NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors announced Thursday that they will not bring criminal charges against Eliot Spitzer for having sex with prostitutes, removing a legal cloud that has surrounded the former governor since his epic downfall eight months ago.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia said that investigators found no evidence that Spitzer misused public or campaign funds for prostitution, meaning prosecutors had very little ammunition in bringing a case. The federal government typically does not prosecute clients of prostitution rings.

“After a thorough investigation, this office has uncovered no evidence of misuse of public or campaign funds,” Garcia said. “We have concluded that the public interest would not be further advanced by filing criminal charges in this matter.”