Prosecutor Defends Clearing Spitzer

The Albany County district attorney, David Soares, today rejected the idea of subpoenaing individuals in the so-called Troopergate episode, saying his investigation found no legal wrongdoing by the state's executive branch.

Mr. Soares, a Democrat, said the decision to subpoena a state official should not be taken lightly. "Before you can get into a grand jury, representatives like me need to come to the conclusion that a crime has been committed," Mr. Soares said. "We do not engage in grand juries for fishing."

Mr. Soares said that his investigation — which included the scrutiny of staff emails and police records, and interviews with Governor Spitzer and his press secretary, Darren Dopp — found the governor's staff acted within the law when collecting and disseminating records of the travel itinerary of the Senate majority leader, Joseph Bruno.

"It's pretty hard to believe they actually conspired," Mr. Soares said.

Mr. Soares declined to speculate on whether the release of Mr. Bruno's travel records to the press was unethical. He said those conclusions would be addressed by an investigation led by the state ethics board.

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See the district attorney's report.