NEW YORK (AP) – The brother of an imprisoned ex-billionaire hedge fund founder was acquitted of conspiracy on Tuesday, handing Manhattan prosecutors their first loss after dozens of insider trading convictions in prosecutions that relied heavily on wiretaps and the testimony of those who pleaded guilty.
After the verdict was announced, Rengan Rajaratnam hugged three attorneys before jurors even left the room. The smiling 43-year-old defendant then hugged his relatives and others before leaving the courthouse without commenting. He still faces civil charges from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Today is the day Rengan has been waiting for,” his lawyer, Daniel Gitner, said before leaving the courthouse. “We thank the jury for its careful attention. Rengan looks forward to getting on with his life.”
Federal Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald had dismissed the two most serious charges in May, and prosecutors had withdrawn two other charges when the judge raised questions about them in a written opinion.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said his office was “disappointed with the verdict on the sole count that the jury was permitted to consider.”