Thomas W. Libous

Thomas W. Libous
Member of the New York Senate
from the 51st, later the 52nd district
In office
January 1989 – July 22, 2015
Preceded by Warren M. Anderson
Succeeded by Frederick R. Akshar
Personal details
Born (1953-04-16)April 16, 1953
Johnson City, New York, U.S.
Died May 3, 2016(2016-05-03) (aged 63)
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Frances Libous
Children Matthew
Nicholas
Alma mater State University of New York,
Broome
State University of New York,
Utica
Website Official website

Thomas W. Libous (April 14, 1953 – May 3, 2016) was the New York State Senator representing the 52nd Senate District representing Broome, Tioga, Chenango and Delaware County. On July 22, 2015, he was found guilty of lying to the FBI, and vacated his Senate seat.[1][2] He was serving his fourteenth term[3] in the New York State Senate, and was Deputy Majority Leader.[4] However, on November 24, 2015, U.S. District Judge Vincent Briccetti sentenced him to six months of house arrest, two years of probation and a $50,000 fine. Libous was not sentenced to jail time due his terminal cancer that had spread from his prostate to his lungs and bones.[5]

Libous was a member of the Republican Party. In accordance with New York's electoral fusion policy, Libous was also regularly cross-endorsed by the Conservative Party of New York and the Independence Party. He served as Chair of the Transportation Committee, Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee, the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee and the Select Committee on the Disabled.

Early life and education

Libous grew up on Johnson City, New York's North Side and attended Johnson City Central School District. At a young age, he worked at his family's grocery store in Binghamton. Libous graduated from Broome Community College in 1973 and from the State University of New York at Utica in 1975, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Finance with honors.

Career

Private sector

After graduation, Libous returned to Binghamton and was employed by Chase Lincoln First Bank from 1975 through 1983, eventually becoming the director of marketing. In 1983, Libous became vice president of marketing for the Johnson City Publishing Company in Binghamton. He held that position until his election to the New York State Senate.

A part-time instructor at SUNY Broome Community College, Libous had taught courses in banking, marketing and finance.

Early political career

no longer BLP Libous began his political career working on various campaigns for his uncle, Binghamton mayor Alfred Libous. In 1984, Libous was elected to Binghamton City Council representing the city's south side. He was re¬elected in 1987 and served as the council's minority leader. He served as president of the New York State Association of City Councils.

New York State Senate

In 1988, Libous was elected to the New York State Senate, succeeding Senate Majority Leader Warren M. Anderson. From 2008-12, he proceeded through a series of leadership positions including Deputy Majority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader, and Chair of the Senate Republican Campaign Committee. Libous was currently Deputy Majority Leader.

Libous had served on a variety of committees including Alcohol & Drug Abuse, Select Committee on the Disabled, Mental Health & Development Disabilities, and Transportation. In his time as chairman of these committees, Libous had sponsored legislation which created the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, sought to curb underage drinking, created the Traumatic Brain Injury Program, tried to improve the quality of life for those with disabilities and mental health, worked to increase funding for transportation projects.

Libous opposed the Marriage Equality Act recognizing same-sex marriage (passed 33-29).[6] He also voted against requiring background checks for gun purchases (passed 43-18),[7] tightening labor standards for domestic employees (passed 35-26),[8] and lessening penalties for those found with hypodermic needles (passed 43-18).[9]

Controversy

Libous had been scrutinized on several different occasions upon his time as a New York State Senator. In 2012, he was highlighted in a Yonkers corruption trial for his role in attempting to help his son receive a job at a law firm there.[10] On July 1, 2014, Libous was indicted on charges of lying to the FBI regarding the circumstances of his son's employment at the law firm.[11] He was scrutinized for having ties to a real-estate company holding gas leases founded by his wife and run by a campaign donor.[12]

Conviction and sentencing (2015)

He was serving his fourteenth term[3] in the New York State Senate, and was Deputy Majority Leader.[4] However, on November 24, 2015, U.S. District Judge Vincent Briccetti sentenced him to six months of house arrest, two years of probation and a $50,000 fine. Libous was not sentenced to jail time due his terminal cancer that had spread from his prostate to his lungs and bones.[5]

Community projects and programs

As Senator, he had worked on economic development deals to bring and retain thousands of jobs to the Southern Tier, helped convince the Ottawa Senators to locate its American Hockey League affiliate in Binghamton, brought the PGA Champions Tour's Dick's Sporting Goods Open golf tournament to Endicott, and kept the AA-Level Binghamton Mets Baseball Club in the Southern Tier.

In 1989, Libous founded YES! Safe Choices for Kids (now a partnership with Lourdes Hospital) to help kids learn about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Each year, YES! trains hundreds of high school students to teach the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse to elementary school students, sponsors local events and programming and offers a drug and alcohol prevention resources for families on its website.[13]

In 1998, Libous founded the Student Community Service Awards (SCSA) through a partnership with WBNG-TV and Broome-Tioga BOCES. Each year, the SCSA program awards scholarships to high school seniors based on community volunteer work. Each honoree is selected by his or her school district.[14]

In 2000, he founded BOOKS (now a partnership with Morrisville State College) to encourage kids to become better readers. BOOKS takes a unique position on reading by rewarding kids for time spent reading rather than for the number of books finished and offers a variety of resources encouraging children to read on its website.[15]

Personal life

Libous lived in Binghamton with his wife, Fran, who serves as Vice Chair of the Workers Compensation Board. The couple has two grown sons—Matt and Nick. In 2009, Libous was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which was terminal. He underwent treatment while still serving as State Senator. In 2010, he founded I Turned Pro to encourage men over age 50 to talk to their doctors about the risk for prostate cancer.[16]

Libous died May 3, 2016.[17]

References

  1. ↑ "Sen. Tom Libous found guilty". Pressconnects.com. 2015-07-23. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  2. ↑ Thomas Kaplan,Thomas Libous, New York State Senator, Is Convicted of Lying to F.B.I., New York Times, July 23, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Norris, Anna (2014-11-05). "Libous secures 14th term as senator | WBNG-TV: News, Sports and Weather Binghamton, New York | Local". Wbng.com. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  4. 1 2 "Libous Will Remain Deputy Leader". Nystateofpolitics.com. 2015-05-11. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  5. 1 2 "LIBOUS: 6 months house arrest, 2 years probation, $50K fine". Pressconnects.com. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  6. ↑ "Bill A8354-2011". New York Senate. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "Bill S2230-2013". New York Senate. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Bill S2311D-2009". New York Senate. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  9. ↑ "Bill S5620A-2009". New York Senate. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  10. ↑ Hakim, Danny. "Ethics Panel Opens Inquiry Into No. 2 Leader in State Senate". The New York Times. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  11. ↑ Rashbaum, William K.; Craig, Susanne; Kaplan, Thomas. "State Senator Libous Indicted on Charges of Lying to F.B.I.". The New York Times. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  12. ↑ Klopott, Freeman. "N.Y. Senate Fracking Backer Tied to Firm With Gas Lease". Bloomberg. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  13. ↑ "About Us". YES! Safe Choices For Kids. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Student Community Service Awards". WBNG News. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Reading Programs". Books Program. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Libous Undergoing Second Round of Chemotherapy". WICZ News. September 16, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  17. ↑ http://www.wbng.com/news/local/Former-NYS-Senator-Tom-Libous-loses-battle-with-cancer-377979911.html

External links

New York State Senate
Preceded by
Warren M. Anderson		 New York State Senate
51st district
1989–2003 		Succeeded by
James L. Seward
Preceded by
Randy Kuhl		 New York State Senate
52nd district
2003–2015 		Vacant
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