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Reputed Philly Mob Boss Freed After 2 Trials

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The reputed boss of the Philadelphia mob boss 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.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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