Steve Neavling

 The U.S. Justice Department does not plan to pursue charges against U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan following an 11-month investigation, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports.

Buchanan’s attorneys said Tuesday that the Justice Department notified him that it’s ending the investigation into the whether Buchanan pressured a former business partner to sign a false affidavit amidst an illegal campaign donation probe.

The business partner, Sam Karzan, claimed the congressman coerced him to help cover up alleged illegal donations in 2006 and 2008, Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported.

Buchanan’s campaign, which has denied wrongdoing, said Karazan was a disgruntled employee who wanted to smear Buchanan , according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

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