Former New York Senator Leibell sentenced to over a year in prison for obstruction of justice

2011-05-14 05:00:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- Former New York State Senator Vincent Leibell III on Friday was sentenced to more than a year in prison on obstruction of justice and tax charges, prosecutors said.

Leibell, 64, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for obstructing a federal investigation into his extortion of cash payments from lawyers working in Putnam County, New York, and for failing to report on his income tax returns tens of thousands of dollars in cash payments he had received from those lawyers.

"Today’s sentencing of former Senator Vincent Leibell ends a sad chapter in the history of Putnam County. It should serve as a sobering reminder to all public officials throughout New York State that no one is above the law," said Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

According to the evidence, Leibell, unlawfully extorted cash payments from attorneys doing business in Putnam County, where he resides. The former senator demanded and received money from a lawyer in exchange for millions of dollars in New York state senate member item grants.

Leibell sponsored the grants as a state senator for the benefit of a Putnam County-based not-for-profit organization. In April 2010, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) launched an investigation on the Senator's activities.

The defendant became aware of the investigation in late April 2010 and met with the attorney involved to discuss their alibi when questioned by federal agents. Leibell directed him to lie on the cash payments and withdrawals.

Leibell was also convicted for filing false federal income tax returns with the IRS for the tax years 2003 through 2006. He failed to report approximately $43,000 from this period.

On December 3, 2010, Leibell resigned his New York state senate seat. He was scheduled to be sworn in as Putnam County executive on January 1, 2011. The former Senator was also ordered to pay a $4,000 fine and to serve three years of supervised release.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-14

Wonder what was the bigger crime here in the eyes of the law. Extorted cash payments from people doing business or filing false federal income tax returns.

Like Al Capone, it's easier to get him on tax evasion. Either way, he's in hot water.

Like Al Capone, it's easier to get him on tax evasion. Either way, he's in hot water.

No its not about the easy way to get him like it was with Al Capone.

Tax evasion is really a serious crime. Wesley Snipes is for 3 year in jail for it. And Wesley Snipes is no Al Capone.

I would consider some bad deals with fellow citizens as the bigger crime than a tax evasion. But its probably a case of as long you pay your tax, you can screw other people.

Like Al Capone, it's easier to get him on tax evasion. Either way, he's in hot water.

No its not about the easy way to get him like it was with Al Capone.

Tax evasion is really a serious crime. Wesley Snipes is for 3 year in jail for it. And Wesley Snipes is no Al Capone.

I would consider some bad deals with fellow citizens as the bigger crime than a tax evasion. But its probably a case of as long you pay your tax, you can screw other people.

Why are you going on about if you pay your taxes, you can screw other people? If you read the story, he was convicted of both extortion and tax evasion. Extortion is illegal, but then he evaded taxes on the illegal money. This is just one way to up the ante on his punishment.

You seem to love to hit the US any chance you get. We all understand. You dislike the country. We get it. But I rather think this is an example of the US getting it right. A politician breaks the law, he goes to jail.

Leibell was also convicted for filing false federal income tax returns with the IRS for the tax years 2003 through 2006. He failed to report approximately $43,000 from this period.

Always makes me happy to see politicians in the US getting nailed for such a relatively small amount. It'd be nice if a politician could have his career ruined over $43,000 in dodgy tax reporting here.

"It should serve as a sobering reminder to all public officials throughout New York State that no one is above the law,"

No, what it is a reminder of is that it's easy to for corrupt politicians to take money and the risk of getting caught is very slim.

They should get a minimum of 10 years for betraying the public trust.

Leibell was also convicted for filing false federal income tax returns with the IRS for the tax years 2003 through 2006. He failed to report approximately $43,000 from this period.

Always makes me happy to see politicians in the US getting nailed for such a relatively small amount. It'd be nice if a politician could have his career ruined over $43,000 in dodgy tax reporting here.

It's just like Al Capone. You have to understand it's not the tax issues, it's the criminal activities they are going after...and the easiest way to get them is in this manner. Good stuff...this was a corrupt politician who betrayed the public's trust.