Associated Press - November 18, 2009 3:24 PM ET

COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) - Columbus attorney Mark Shelnutt has been acquitted of all charges in a federal drug and money-laundering case.

The jury returned the verdict Wednesday afternoon. The judge had declined to grant a defense motion for a mistrial earlier in the day.

The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reports that defense lawyers asked U.S. District Court Judge Clay Land for a mistrial on grounds that the prosecution intentionally misled the jury during closing arguments.

Shelnutt faced 36 counts of money laundering, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, making false statements to federal agents and attempted bribery. Jury deliberations began Tuesday.

In closing arguments, prosecutor David Stewart said Shelnutt went from attorney to advocate in the Torrance "Bookie" Hill drug organization.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.