truthfully, this was likely a very smart move. It adds a step in between the accused, who had a failed campaign as a Republican Senator, and the governing law enforcement. The state handling the charge with a sitting Democrat governor that was AG at the time a lot of this was uncovered could give some reason to claim it is all political. For what it's worth, it may be the reason it was uncovered to begin with--enemy digging in deep on enemy. It's also likely why some are still "Team Herm is innocent"--they think he's a victim.
Imagine how much more he could have gotten his paws into had he won that election.