Sign up for our COVID-19 newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest coronavirus news

The six former Philadelphia police officersaccused of corruption were acquitted of all federal charges in the trial that rocked the city.

Thomas Liciardello, the alleged ringleader of the group, was released from custody after a hearing.

The officers were on trial for robbery, racketeering, civil rights violations and falsifying records. Prosecuters alleged that Thomas Liciardello, Perry Betts, Norman Linwood, Brian Reynolds, John Speiser and Michael Spicer of PPD beat up suspects, stole money and drugs from drug dealers and falsified reports in order to cover up their own wrongdoings.

Nineteen key witnesses said the officers stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds between 2006 and 2012.

But the defense argued that witnesses could not be trusted because they lacked moral character.