MINNEAPOLIS >> Federal prosecutors have dismissed charges against a Naval officer accused in a plot to extort money from his family in Granite Falls. 

The Star Tribune reports officials aren’t saying why they dropped charges against Lt. Cmdr. David Rosetter, of Hawaii. The 18-year Navy veteran had faced counts of aiding and abetting extortion.

Rosetter’s attorney, Douglas Olson, says his client is innocent. He says Rosetter was in Iraq, and e-mails were made to look like he sent them.

His Samoan-born wife has a plea hearing next week. His sister-in-law pleaded guilty last week for her role in the scheme.

Court documents say the women extorted more than $180,000 from Rosetter’s family, by saying the Samoan mafia would kill family members if they didn’t pay David’s debts. The story was made up.

Court documents say the women extorted more than $180,000 from Rosetter’s family, by saying the Samoan mafia would kill family members if they didn’t pay David’s debts. The story was made up.