Fmr. Philadelphia official acquitted in extortion trial

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A jury has acquitted former Philadelphia Licenses and Inspections deputy commissioner Domenic Verdi following a week-long trial in federal court.

Verdi was indicted in 2014 on federal extortion and bribery charges.

Prosecutors had argued Verdi used his position to protect businesses that bought from his beer distributorship in South Philadelphia.

Verdi was facing a maximum possible sentence of 140 years in prison if convicted.