Spitzer won’t face federal charges

Federal prosecutors said Thursday that they will not bring criminal charges against Eliot Spitzer for his role in a prostitution scandal, removing a legal cloud that has surrounded the former New York governor since his epic downfall eight months ago.

U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia said investigators found no evidence that Spitzer or his office misused public or campaign funds for prostitution. Investigators found that Spitzer solicited high-priced call girls, but federal prosecutors typically do not prosecute clients of prostitution rings.

A remorseful Spitzer issued a statement in which he expressed relief that he will not face charges.

He resigned in March after it was disclosed he was referred to in court papers as “Client-9,” who spent thousands of dollars on a call girl at a swanky Washington, D.C., hotel on the night before Valentine’s Day.

Memphis, Tenn.

Two deny planning to kill Obama

Two men loosely affiliated with the white supremacy movement pleaded not guilty Thursday to conspiracy and firearms charges in what authorities describe as a plot to assassinate President-elect Barack Obama.

Daniel Cowart, 20, and Paul Schlesselman, 18, appeared before a federal magistrate in Memphis. They are being held without bail after local law enforcement officials arrested them last month. Both men could face more than a decade behind bars if convicted of involvement in the alleged plot.

The men hatched a plan to steal weapons, ambush a predominately African-American school and then attack Obama at a rally, according to a federal agent.