Reputed Philly mob boss, Joe Ligambi, freed after two trials
Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi leaves the U.S. Courthouse in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014. Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia have dropped its criminal case against the reputed Philadelphia mob boss after a second jury deadlocked on the central racketeering charge on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. (Matt Rourke/AP Photo)
The reputed boss of the Philadelphia mob is a free man after beating two racketeering trials over two years.
Joseph “Uncle Joe” Ligambi quietly left the U.S. courthouse Tuesday morning with his brother and nephew and jumped into a waiting car.
His release comes after the Justice Department decided not to take Ligambi to trial a third time. A judge on Tuesday dismissed his 2009 indictment.
Two juries have deadlocked on the central racketeering charge, while acquitting Ligambi of six lesser counts.
The case mostly involves low-level gambling and loansharking, in contrast to the deadly feuds that long characterized Philadelphia mob trials.
The 74-year-old Ligambi has been in prison since 2011. His alleged underboss, enforcer and others were convicted last year.
Ligambi said he plans to go home and “relax” Tuesday night.
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