Statement Of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara On The Guilty Verdict In U.S. v. Thomas Libous
Thomas Libous, the second-highest-ranking New York State Senator, was convicted of making false statements to federal investigators to conceal his misuse of state resources to benefit his son’s lobbying business, resulting in a 10-month prison sentence.
Thomas Libous, a senior New York State Senator, was found guilty of lying to FBI agents during a corruption probe into his use of state employees and equipment to perform work for his son’s lobbying firm. Although no charges of bribery, embezzlement, or extortion were brought, he was convicted on felony counts of making false statements to federal officials, a crime that obstructed the investigation into public corruption in Albany. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison, with the U.S. Attorney emphasizing that his deception made combating corruption more difficult.
Thomas Libous, the second-highest-ranking New York State Senator, was convicted by a jury of making false statements to federal investigators to conceal his misuse of state resources for the benefit of his son’s lobbying business. He directed state employees and equipment to perform personal and professional tasks for his son’s firm, creating a pattern of favoritism and abuse of public office. While prosecutors did not charge him with bribery, extortion, or direct financial theft, they successfully proved that his repeated lies to the FBI obstructed a corruption investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office condemned his actions as undermining public trust and making it harder to root out corruption in Albany. Libous was not found guilty of the underlying corruption but of the cover-up — a felony offense carrying a maximum five-year sentence. He was ultimately sentenced to 10 months in prison, reflecting the court’s view that deception of federal agents in public corruption cases warrants serious consequences. The verdict was widely seen as a landmark in holding high-ranking officials accountable for dishonesty that impedes justice, even absent direct financial fraud.
Extracted insights
- organization Department of Justice
- person found guilty
- person Preet Bharara
- organization Southern District Of New York
- person Thomas Libous
- person tom libous
- organization U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District Of New York
- Jury found Tom Libous told lie after lie
- Tom Libous is second highest ranking New York Senator
- Tom Libous told lies to federal agents
- Tom Libous has been found guilty
Press Release Statement Of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara On The Guilty Verdict In U.S. v. Thomas Libous Wednesday, July 22, 2015 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York “Public corruption is a scourge. Every New Yorker wants us to work as hard as possible to end it. But lies to law enforcement make the job of fighting corruption doubly difficult. 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. Libous’s lies have been exposed, his crime has been proven, and Albany will be the better for it.” Updated July 22, 2015 Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 15-189
Press Release Statement Of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara On The Guilty Verdict In U.S. v. Thomas Libous Wednesday, July 22, 2015 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York “Public corruption is a scourge. Every New Yorker wants us to work as hard as possible to end it. But lies to law enforcement make the job of fighting corruption doubly difficult. 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. Libous’s lies have been exposed, his crime has been proven, and Albany will be the better for it.” Updated July 22, 2015 Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 15-189