Court drops charges against former US presidential candidate Edwards

US federal prosecutors dropped all charges against John Edwards, triggering criticism that the year-long prosecution of the former presidential candidate was a waste of time and American taxpayer money.

After a six-week trial in North Carolina, jurors acquitted Mr Edwards on May 31 on one count of accepting illegal campaign contributions and was deadlocked on five other felony counts.

The judge declared a mistrial.

The US Justice Department said in a court order that it will not seek to retry Mr Edwards on the five unresolved counts.

Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer, who oversees the agency's criminal division, said prosecutors knew the case, like all campaign finance cases, would be challenging.

But he said it is "our duty to bring hard cases" when warranted.

Prosecutors accused Mr Edwards of masterminding a scheme to use about one million US dollars in secret payments from two wealthy political donors to hide his pregnant mistress as he sought the White House in 2008.

He would have faced up to 30 years in prison and $1.5m (€1.2m) in fines if convicted of all charges.