State Sen. Libous Indicted on Federal Charge

[Historic NY]

State Sen. Tom Libous, the No. 2-ranking Republican in the state Senate, has been indicted on making a false statement to federal law enforcement, according to records unsealed on Tuesday.

In a separate, six-count indictment, the Binghamton lawmaker’s son Matthew Libous was charged with filing false tax returns and obstruction as well as making false statements regarding his income.

The case against Tom Libous, a prominent figure at the state Capitol for decades and the floor leader for the GOP conference, stems from an investigation into whether he used his clout in order to arrange a job for his son at a lobbying firm — a claim first brought to the attention of ethics regulators by then-Binghamton Mayor Matthew Ryan.

According to the indictment, the FBI and the criminal investigation division of the Internal Revenue Service were probing whether Tom Libous had arranged for his son to receive a job at a law firm in exchange for steering business, which resulted in an unnamed lobbying entity to pay the firm $50,000 in order defray costs.

- See more at: http://hudsonvalley.twcnews.com/content/news/749460/state-sen--libous-indicted-on-federal-charge/#sthash.Q88AMrla.dpufhttp://hudsonvalley.twcnews.com/content/news/749460/state-sen--libous-indicted-on-federal-charge/

[hrmjustin]

1. Democrats See Chance In Libous’ District

Nick Reisman
With Sen. Tom Libous under federal indictment on a charge of lying to the FBI, Democrats believe they have a chance of snagging the Southern Tier Senate seat from the Republican column.

“The landscape has definitely changed,” said one Democratic source familiar with the renewed talks of challenging Libous.

Libous has held the seat since 1988 and for the last two elections faced Democrat John Orzell, who he handily defeated.

http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/07/dems-see-chance-in-libous-district/

[hrmjustin]

9. Will the 52nd Senate District be in play this November?

http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-07-07-88518.113122-Will-the-52nd-Senate-District-be-in-play-this-November.html

[hrmjustin]

10. Libous Still Running for Re-election, Says He’s Done Nothing Wrong

http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/07/libous-still-running-for-re-election-says-hes-done-nothing-wrong/

[hrmjustin]

2. Skelos ‘Saddened’ By Libous Indictment

Nick Reisman

Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos in a statement Tuesday said he was “saddened” by the news that his deputy leader in the conference was indicted on making a false statement to the FBI.

But at the same time, Skelos indicated that he was standing by the Binghamton Republican, saying that he hopes the legal system fairly handles the case.

“I am saddened to learn of the news regarding Senator Libous,” said Skelos, a Nassau County Republican. “I have always known Tom Libous to be a hardworking and outstanding representative for his district and all of New York State. I have confidence that our legal system will fully and fairly review this matter.”

http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/07/skelos-saddened-by-libous-indictment/

[hrmjustin]

3. Libous Says He’s Running For Re-Election

http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/07/libous-says-hes-running-for-re-election/

[Historic NY]

4. They seem to be dropping on a weekly basis....

at this rate the cesspool in Albany will be emptied.

[hrmjustin]

5. Bruno on Libous: ‘A lie is in the ears of the beholder’

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/07/8548329/bruno-libous-lie-ears-beholder?top-featured-2

[hrmjustin]

6. NYT Another indictment in Albany

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/07/05/opinion/05sat4.html?referrer=&_r=1

[hrmjustin]

8. editorial: Albany outsider cracking down on corruption

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/opinion/editorials/2014/07/06/albany-outsider-cracking-corruption/12261753/

[hrmjustin]

7. Feds taking aim at lies

Brendan J. Lyons

The state Legislature was battling with Gov. David Paterson over a late budget and a property tax cap when a pair of FBI agents from downstate made an unannounced visit to the Albany office of Sen. Thomas W. Libous.

In the June 2010 meeting with the powerful Senate Republican, Libous is accused of making a series of false statements as the agents peppered him with questions about a secret arrangement he allegedly made for an Albany lobbying firm to pay money to a law firm that employed Libous' son, Matthew.

Last week, more than four years after his exchange with the FBI, Libous was indicted on a charge of lying to a federal agent about his son's job arrangement.

http://m.timesunion.com/local/article/Feds-taking-aim-at-lies-5603345.php