ALBANY – The former leader of the New York state Senate was acquitted Friday of federal fraud charges, ending a nearly nine-year corruption investigation after four hours of jury deliberations.

Retired Senator Joe Bruno, 85, quietly thanked his lawyers, family and friends, who surrounded him with hugs and handshakes. When the verdicts were read, their initial claps and cheers caused Nortnern District Judge Gary Sharpe (See Profile) to ask for decorum.