A federal jury in Manhattan deliberated about seven hours over two days before acquitting Secret Service scientist Larry Stewart - no relation to the millionaire homemaker - of two counts of perjury.

Stewart, 48, has been on suspension from the Secret Service since he was indicted earlier this year. Asked whether he wanted his job back, he said: "Not that job. I don't want it."

Federal prosecutors accused Stewart of exaggerating the role he played in ink analysis testing of a stock worksheet that was used as a piece of evidence against Martha Stewart and her stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic.

The pair were convicted in March of lying to investigators about why she sold stock in 2001.

The government contended that Susan Fortunato, who worked for Larry Stewart at the Secret Service, had actually conducted the tests in the summer of 2002 and January 2004.

At trial, Fortunato bolstered the government case and also testified that Stewart once confronted her after an office meeting and kissed her.

She complained to her supervisors but later withdrew the claim.

Three members of the jury who spoke to reporters after delivering the not-guilty verdict said they doubted Fortunato's credibility as a witness.

Larry Stewart had faced 10 years in prison if convicted on the two perjury counts.