Reputed Philadelphia mob boss Ligambi freed after 2 trials; feds drop case after deadlocks

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. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (The Associated Press)

Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi walks from the U.S. Courthouse, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, in Philadelphia. Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia have dropped its criminal case against the reputed Philadelphia mob boss after a second jury on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, deadlocked on the central racketeering charge. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (The Associated Press)

Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi smiles from a car after leaving the U.S. Courthouse, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, in Philadelphia. Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia have dropped its criminal case against the reputed Philadelphia mob boss after a second jury on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, deadlocked on the central racketeering charge. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (The Associated Press)

The reputed boss of the Philadelphia mob is a free man after beating two racketeering trials.

Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi quietly left the city's federal 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.

Two juries have deadlocked on the central racketeering charge, while acquitting Ligambi of six lesser counts. A judge on Tuesday dismissed the remaining counts.

The case mostly involves accusations of gambling and loansharking, in contrast to the deadly feuds exposed in past 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 says he plans to go home and "relax" Tuesday night.