Presidential hopeful could still face criminal charges after FBI brands her ‘extremely careless’ over email scandal
Investigators say they will not recommend prosecution but a final decision rests with the Attorney General
HILLARY Clinton could still face criminal charges and even jail for sending classified information on a personal email server.
While the FBI has cleared her of criminal wrongdoing, its investigation has today been passed to prosecutors who will make a final decision.
The former Secretary of State sparked security fears when it emerged top secret documents were bypassing normal government cyber defences.
The charges of mishandling classified documents has resulted in jail terms before - but not for someone so high-profile.
Former CIA director David Petraeus was found to have revealed top secret information to his mistress - but escaped with a fine and probation.
The email revelations sparked an FBI investigation, though its director today said he would recommend that she is not prosecuted by the Department of Justice.
The email scandal has hung over Clinton's run for the presidency for months - and provided valuable ammunition for Republican rival Donald Trump.
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FBI director James Comey said it found "extremely careless" behaviour by Clinton and her staff in their handling of sensitive information.
He also noted it was possible cyber attackers had breached her account.
But his decision not recommend prosecution is likely to bring the issue to a close and remove the threat of criminal charges - and a possible jail sentence.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch said last week that she would accept the recommendations of the FBI director and of career prosecutors.
However, the final decision rests with her department - and will not wipe away the damage caused to Clinton's reputation as she bids to become the first female US President.
The announcement came three days after the FBI interviewed her for hours in a final step of its year-long investigation.
She has repeatedly said no email she sent or received was marked classified.
The scrutiny was worsened when a blistering audit said Clinton and her team ignored warnings the email setup could her vulnerable to hackers.
The audit said she had feared personal emails becoming accessible if she used a government email account.
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