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Greg Kelly Breaks Silence, Set to Return to 'Good Day New York'

By DNAinfo Staff on February 8, 2012 5:52pm  | Updated on February 8, 2012 6:16pm

"Good Day New York" co-host Greg Kelly will return to the anchor chair on Friday after the Manhattan District Attorney decided not to pursue rape charges against him.
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By Patrick Hedlund, Ben Fractenberg and Andrea Swalec

DNAinfo Staff

MANHATTAN — Greg Kelly will return to the anchor chair at Fox 5's “Good Day New York” Friday after being cleared on rape charges, the station confirmed.

The television host and son of Police Commissioner Ray Kelly is set to return to the morning program just days after the Manhattan District Attorney’s office decided not to pursue charges that he raped a woman in Lower Manhattan after a night of drinking in October.

"I'm very appreciative for all the positive support I received," Kelly said after walking out of Fox's East 67th Street studios Wednesday night.

Station spokeswoman Claudia Russo confirmed Kelly's return to the air in the wake of the scandal.

"Friday will be Greg's first day back," she said.

The DA’s office decided not to charge Kelly Tuesday after a two-week investigation that began last month.

"After reviewing the evidence, we have determined that the facts established during our investigation do not fit the definitions of sexual assault crimes under New York criminal law," said Martha Bashford, the chief of the DA's sex crimes unit, in a letter to Kelly's lawyer, Andrew Lanker.

"Therefore, no criminal charges are appropriate."

The woman accused Kelly, 43, of raping her in lower Manhattan after a night of drinking at South Street Seaport and claimed she had an abortion after becoming pregnant from the encounter.

Kelly said in a statement that he was pleased with the outcome of the probe.

“I am thankful that the investigation established what I've known all along, that I am innocent of the allegations that were waged against me," he said.

"I am so blessed to have a wonderful family and friends whose support for me never wavered."