U.S. attorney prosecuting John Edwards to step down

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• George E.B. Holding, the U.S. attorney prosecuting John Edwards, announced Friday that he is resigning
• Holding's resignation was expected, as he was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2002
• President Barack Obama has nominated a replacement for Holding
• Holding's resignation will take effect on July 8

(CNN) -- George E.B. Holding, the U.S. attorney overseeing the prosecution of former Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards, announced Friday that he is stepping down from his current post.

Holding's resignation from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina -- which was expected -- will take effect on July 8.

Holding was appointed to his position by former President George W. Bush in 2002. President Barack Obama has named a replacement, pending Senate confirmation.

"I came to the United States Attorney's Office ... with the mission of making this office into one of the best law firms in North Carolina. We have succeeded," Holding said in a written statement.

Edwards, a former U.S. senator and two-time presidential candidate, pleaded not guilty last week to conspiracy and campaign law violations

His plea came shortly after a federal grand jury indicted him on six counts, including conspiracy, issuing false statements and violating campaign contribution laws.

A grand jury has been investigating whether money given to support Edwards' mistress, Rielle Hunter, by benefactors of Edwards should have been considered campaign donations, a contention Edwards' team has disputed.

CNN's Devon Sayers and Alan Silverleib contributed to this report

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/06/10/edwards.prosecutor.resigning/index.html?eref=rss_crime

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