Leading NY lawmaker lied to FBI about son's law firm job; felony conviction puts his own job at risk
A leading New York lawmaker was convicted Wednesday by a federal jury in White Plains of lying to FBI investigators about using his influence to help his attorney son get a law firm job.
The felony conviction is expected to force Sen. Thomas Libous, who is the second-ranking Republican in the New York state senate, from office, since it will trigger automatic expulsion, according to the Journal News and the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.). He was elected to the state senate from the Binghamton area in 1988.
“Today, a jury unanimously found that Tom Libous, the second-highest-ranking New York senator, told lie after lie to hide the truth from federal agents investigating corruption in Albany,” U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a written statement. “Libous’s lies have been exposed, his crime has been proven, and Albany will be the better for it.”
News reports contain conflicting information about whether Libous has already been expelled from the state senate or simply is expected to be expelled. He faces a potential prison term of as much as five years when he is sentenced in October.
“It’s disappointing, but it’s the system,” Libous said of the verdict. “I play by the rules, and I’m going to play by the rules.”
LIbous’ lawyer, Paul DerOhannesian, said his client hasn’t decided whether to appeal. “We were treated fairly here, even if I don’t agree with the verdict,” he said.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Lawmaker’s son hired despite ‘acting like a clown’ at firm party, witness testifies at trial”
