NY lawyer, 81, acquitted of extortion plot charge

NEW YORK – An 81-year-old New York lawyer has been acquitted of all criminal charges after being accused of helping an attempt to shake down a client's wealthy son-in-law for $11 million.

Jurors cleared Stuart A. Jackson on Tuesday of grand larceny and other charges.

Manhattan prosecutors say he wrote letters and held meetings to help client Stuart R. Ross try to extract money from Ross' daughter's husband. Ross pleaded guilty in August to attempted grand larceny but has asked to withdraw his plea.

In it, he admitted threatening to ruin his son-in-law's career if he didn't pay.

Jackson's attorney says his client never knew about any threats and represented Ross in trying to reach lawful goals.

Ross once owned certain rights to the Smurfs cartoon characters.