Eight of the chains contain top secret information, while another 36 emails contained secret information, and eight had confidential information at the time of sending.

Comey added the FBI uncovered several thousand work-related emails that weren't returned to the State Department with the original 30,000.

Comey said Clinton and staff "were extremely careless," but was no "clear evidence" of intent to break the law.

He said that it was possible that U.S. enemies could have gained access to her personal email account,The Associated Press reported.

The FBI announced that while there is evidence of potential violations, but it was the bureau's judgment that noreasonable lawyer would prosecute the case. 

>>Read the complete statement

The announcement came days after Clinton after the FBI interviewed Clinton as it's last step in its year-long investigation.

Comey said no one else in the government was told about the FBI's findings before the announcement.

Department of Justice director Loretta Lynch announced Friday that she would accept whatever recommendations were given to her. Lynch's announcement came days after an impromptu meeting with Clinton's husband and former President Bill Clinton on her airplane in Phoenix, The AP reported.

Lynch said she had decided on the process before that unofficial meeting.

For her part, Hillary Clinton's spokesman said that the campaign is pleased with the findings and concedes that it was a mistake for her to use personal email, The AP reported.

Stay with this story for the latest in the FBI announcement.