diff --git a/scripts/keri/cf/verifier-config-public.json b/scripts/keri/cf/verifier-config-public.json
index 9d95f05..8cdb5ff 100755
--- a/scripts/keri/cf/verifier-config-public.json
+++ b/scripts/keri/cf/verifier-config-public.json
@@ -26,12 +26,5 @@
     "https://gleif-it.github.io/oobi/EH6ekLjSr8V32WyFbGe1zXjTzFs9PkTYmupJ9H65O14g",
     "https://gleif-it.github.io/oobi/EBfdlu8R27Fbx-ehrqwImnK-8Cm79sqbAQ4MmvEAYqao"
   ],
-  "LEIs": [
-    "984500E5DEFDBQ1O9038",
-    "984500AAFEB59DDC0E43",
-    "254900OPPU84GM83MG36",
-    "9845004CC7884BN85018",
-    "98450030F6X9EC7C8336",
-    "875500ELOZEL05BVXV37"
-  ]
+  "LEIs": []
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/verifier/core/authorizing.py b/src/verifier/core/authorizing.py
index df633bf..9e64490 100644
--- a/src/verifier/core/authorizing.py
+++ b/src/verifier/core/authorizing.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ def setup(hby, vdb, reger, cf):
         raise kering.ConfigurationError("invalid configuration, no LEIs available to accept")
 
     leis = data.get("LEIs")
-    if not isinstance(leis, list) or len(leis) == 0:
+    if not None and not isinstance(leis, list):
         raise kering.ConfigurationError("invalid configuration, invalid LEIs in configuration")
 
     authorizer = Authorizer(hby, vdb, reger, leis)
@@ -133,7 +133,8 @@ def processEcr(self, creder):
             return
 
         LEI = creder.attrib["LEI"]
-        if LEI not in self.leis:
+        # only process LEI filter if LEI list has been configured
+        if len(self.leis) > 0 and LEI not in self.leis:
             print(f"LEI: {LEI} not allowed")
             return
 
diff --git a/src/verifier/core/verifying.py b/src/verifier/core/verifying.py
index 33f4bb5..f82df5b 100644
--- a/src/verifier/core/verifying.py
+++ b/src/verifier/core/verifying.py
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ def on_put(self, req, rep, said):
 
         if not found:
             rep.status = falcon.HTTP_BAD_REQUEST
-            rep.data = json.dumps(dict(msg=f"credential {said} from body of request was not found")).encode("utf-8")
+            rep.data = json.dumps(dict(msg=f"credential {said} from body of request did not verify")).encode("utf-8")
             return
 
         print(f"Credential {said} presented.")
diff --git a/tests/integration/test_service.py b/tests/integration/test_service.py
index 3679cd8..0806fa7 100644
--- a/tests/integration/test_service.py
+++ b/tests/integration/test_service.py
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ def get():
 #         # class testCf:
 #         #     def get():
 #         #         return dict(LEIs=[f"{LEI1}",f"{LEI2}"])
-#         rootsCf = configing.Configer(name="verifier-config-rootsid.json",
+#         rootsCf = configing.Configer(name="verifier-config-public.json",
 #                             headDirPath="/Users/meenyleeny/VSCode/vlei-verifier/scripts",
 #                             base="",
 #                             temp=False, reopen=True, clear=False)