S.I. DA: We Will NOT Prosecute Vito Lopez

But here's the interesting bit from Donovan's statement''In recent months numerous media accounts have reported that my office has been conducting an investigation into Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who has been affiliated with the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior CitizensCouncil/Hope Gardens organizations. Although it is my office's policy to not confirm or deny the existence of any investigations, I believe the intense interest in this matter compels me to clarify the public record.

''My office was appointed as Special District Attorney following the arrest of an individual by the New York City Department of Investigation, accused in a criminal court complaint by the Kings County District Attorney, of photocopying and altering attendance sheets of a youth program to seek support a request for reimbursement of expenses allegedly incurred by the program.

''Both investigations by the DOI and KCDA into Tyess Crespo's actions, later continued by my office, as well as a review of possible criminal irregularities in the funding of Ridgewood/Hope Gardens produced no actionable evidence of criminal conduct beyond those in the initial criminal charges. This was the extent to which the judicial order allowed my office to investigate.''

(Source: NY Daily News)