{{Short description|American politician (1953–2010)}} {{use mdy dates|date=December 2013}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Thomas W. Libous | image = New York State Senator Thomas W. Libous.jpg | term_start = January 4, 1989 | term_end = July 22, 2015 | predecessor = Warren M. Anderson | successor = Fred Akshar | birth_date = {{birth date|1953|4|16}} | birth_place = Johnson City, New York, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2016|5|3|1953|4|16}} | death_place = Endicott, New York | party = Republican | spouse = Frances Libous | children = Matthew<br />Nicholas | alma_mater = State University of New York,<br />Broome<br />State University of New York,<br />Utica | office = Member of the New York State Senate | constituency = 51st district {{nowrap|(1989–2002)}}<br> 52nd district {{nowrap|(2003–2015)}} }}
'''Thomas W. Libous''' (April 14, 1953 – May 3, 2016) was an American politician who served as a member of the New York State Senate from the 52nd Senate District, representing the counties of Broome, Tioga, Chenango and Delaware.
A Republican, Libous served on the Binghamton City Council in the 1980s. He was first elected to the State Senate in 1988 and won a total of 14 terms in the Senate, eventually rising to the position of deputy majority leader. An influential Albany dealmaker, Libous was notable for his advocacy for New York's Southern Tier. He continued serving in the Senate for several years following a 2009 terminal cancer diagnosis. On July 22, 2015, Libous forfeited his Senate seat when he was found guilty of lying to the FBI. His conviction was vacated following his death.
==Early life, education, and early career== Libous was president of his senior class at Johnson City High School.<ref name=towering /> At a young age, he worked at his family's grocery store in Binghamton.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/04/nyregion/thomas-libous-powerful-new-york-senator-felled-by-scandal-dies-at-63.html|title=Thomas Libous, Powerful New York Senator Felled by Scandal, Dies at 63|first=Jesse|last=McKinley|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 4, 2016|publisher=}}</ref> 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.<ref name="bio">{{cite web|url=https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/tom-libous|title=Senator Tom Libous|access-date=August 2, 2025|website=NY State Senate}}</ref> He worked on political campaigns for his uncle, Alfred Libous, who served as Mayor of Binghamton.<ref name=towering />
Libous, a Republican, was elected to the Binghamton City Council in 1983 and won re-election in 1987.<ref name=towering />
==New York State Senate== After having served on the Binghamton City Council,<ref name="auto"/> Libous was first elected to the New York State Senate in 1988.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/2015/07/22/libous-guilty/30531301/ |title=Sen. Tom Libous found guilty |publisher=Pressconnects.com |date=2015-07-23 |accessdate=2015-11-26}}</ref> He succeeded Senator Warren M. Anderson, who had served as senate majority leader.<ref name="auto1"/> Libous represented Senate District 52, which included Broome, Tioga, Chenango, and Delaware Counties.<ref name="bio" /> He was re-elected 13 times.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|last=Norris |first=Anna |url=http://www.wbng.com/news/local/NYS-52nd-Senate-281531891.html |title=Libous secures 14th term as senator |publisher=WBNG.com |date=2014-11-05 |accessdate=2015-11-26}}</ref> Libous was a powerful presence in Albany, and was known for his advocacy for New York's Southern Tier.<ref name=towering /> He was also known for his ability to work with members of both parties and for his strong working relationship with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo.<ref name="auto"/>
In 2008, Libous rose to the position of deputy majority leader.<ref name=towering /> In 2009, after the Republicans lost their Senate majority in the 2008 elections,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/us-politics/coup-attempt-leaves-ny-state-senate-in-disarray-idUSTRE5576J5/|title=Coup attempt leaves NY state Senate in disarray |website=reuters.com|date=June 8, 2009}}</ref> Libous became the deputy minority leader;<ref name="bio" /> he also became chair of the Senate Republican Campaign Committee, helping the Republicans retake the Senate majority the following year.<ref name=towering /> Also in 2009, Libous played a major role in a parliamentary coup<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-local/article/state-legislature-11024545.php|title=From 2009 Senate coup, Maziarz may be the last man standing|first=Rick|last=Karlin|date=March 24, 2017|website=Times Union}}</ref> when Republicans temporarily took control of the Senate with the help of two dissident Democrats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/in-new-york-senate-coup-takes-down-dems/|title=In New York, Senate "Coup" Takes Down Dems|website=www.cbsnews.com|date=June 8, 2009 }}</ref> He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.evesun.com/news/stories/2009-08-19/7671/Senator-Libous-ready-to-beat-prostate-cancer|title=Senator Libous ready to beat prostate cancer|website=www.evesun.com|date=August 19, 2009}}</ref> Libous was once again named the deputy majority leader of the Senate in 2010.<ref name="bio" />
Libous voted against the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York; nevertheless, the Marriage Equality Act narrowly passed the Senate in June 2011 by a vote of 33-29 and was signed into law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gothamist.com/2011/06/24/gay_marriage_legalized_in_new_york.php|title=FINALLY: NY State Senate Passes Gay Marriage|first=Garth|last=Johnston|website=Gothamist|access-date=December 25, 2018|archive-date=May 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518032443/http://gothamist.com/2011/06/24/gay_marriage_legalized_in_new_york.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/06/ny-legalizes-gay-marriage-057749|title=N.Y. legalizes gay marriage|date=June 27, 2011|website=POLITICO|last=Epstein|first=Reid}}</ref> In 2012, Libous was named the Senate's deputy majority coalition leader.<ref name="bio" /> Libous voted against the 2013 gun control law known as the New York SAFE Act. He was an outspoken supporter of hydrofracking.<ref name=towering />
In November 2014, despite having been indicted earlier in the year, Libous was re-elected for a fourteenth Senate term<ref name="autogenerated1"/> and remained Deputy Majority Leader.<ref name="nystateofpolitics1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2015/05/libous-will-remain-deputy-leader |title=Libous Will Remain Deputy Leader |publisher=State of Politics |date=2015-05-11 |accessdate=2015-11-26}}</ref> He forfeited his Senate seat when he was found guilty of lying to the FBI on July 22, 2015.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="bye" />
===Community projects and programs=== Libous helped provide funding for an ice rink at Broome Community College and an events center at Binghamton University. He also supported the Ottawa Senators' American Hockey League affiliate's 2002 move to Binghamton, facilitating the provision of funding for arena renovations on multiple occasions.<ref name=towering />
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 awarded scholarships to high school seniors based on community volunteer work.<ref>{{cite web|title=Student Community Service Awards|url=http://www.wbng.com/closings/19374349.html|publisher=WBNG News|accessdate=November 25, 2015}}</ref>
One of Libous's final acts as Senator was to secure over $4 million in grant funds to construct the new shared office for the Broome County Industrial Development Agency, Broome County Chamber of Commerce, and related groups.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theagency-ny.com/five-south-college-drive-opens-as-a-one-stop-economic-and-business-development-center-for-broome-county|title=FIVE South College Drive Opens As A One-stop Economic And Business Development Center For Broome County|website=The Agency - Broome County IDA/LDC - Economic Development Agency}}</ref>
==Legal issues== In 2012, Libous was highlighted in a corruption trial for his role in attempting to help his son, Matthew, receive a job at Santangelo, Randazzo & Mangone, a law firm in Westchester County. As a result, an investigation was started,<ref>{{cite news|last=Hakim|first=Danny|title=Ethics Panel Opens Inquiry Into No. 2 Leader in State Senate|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/nyregion/senator-thomas-libous-is-subject-of-ethics-inquiry.html|accessdate=November 25, 2015|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 15, 2012 }}</ref> and on July 1, 2014, he was indicted on charges of lying to the FBI regarding the circumstances of his son's employment at the law firm.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rashbaum|first1=William K.|last2=Craig|first2=Susanne|last3=Kaplan|first3=Thomas|title=State Senator Libous Indicted on Charges of Lying to F.B.I.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/02/nyregion/state-senator-thomas-libous-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-fbi.html?_r=0|accessdate=November 25, 2015|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Indictment - United States of America vs. Thomas Libous|url=https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-sdny/legacy/2015/03/25/Libous%20Thomas.Indictment.pdf|website=justice.gov|publisher=United States Department of Justice|accessdate=28 August 2016}}</ref>
Matthew Libous was charged with six counts of tax fraud in a related investigation.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kaplan|first1=Thomas|last2=Rashbaum|first2=William K.|title=G.O.P. Power Broker in Albany Accused of Lying to F.B.I. - State Senator Thomas Libous Is Indicted on Federal Charges|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/02/nyregion/state-senator-thomas-libous-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-fbi.html|accessdate=28 August 2016|work=The New York Times|date=July 2, 2014|page=A1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Indictment - United States of America vs. Matthew Libous|url=https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nys/pressreleases/July14/LibousThomasIndict/Libous%20Matthew.Indictment.pdf|website=justice.gov|publisher=United States Department of Justice|accessdate=28 August 2016}}</ref> In January 2015, Matthew Libous was convicted on three counts of federal tax fraud by judge Vincent L. Briccetti of the Southern District of New York in a bench trial,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fitzsimmons|first1=Emma G.|title=Son of Indicted New York State Senator Is Found Guilty in Tax Case|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/28/nyregion/son-of-indicted-new-york-state-senator-is-found-guilty-in-tax-case.html|accessdate=28 August 2016|work=The New York Times|date=January 27, 2015}}</ref> and in May 2015 he was sentenced to six months in prison.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kaplan|first1=Thomas|title=Son of Indicted New York State Senator Receives 6-Month Sentence|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/19/nyregion/matthew-libous-son-of-indicted-new-york-state-senator-receives-6-month-sentence.html|accessdate=28 August 2016|work=The New York Times|date=May 19, 2015|page=A22}}</ref>
Thomas Libous was tried in July 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kaplan|first1=Thomas|title=Trial to Begin for Thomas Libous, New York Senator Whose Son Was Convicted|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/13/nyregion/trial-to-begin-for-thomas-libous-new-york-senator-whose-son-was-convicted.html|accessdate=28 August 2016|work=The New York Times|date=July 12, 2015|page=A14}}</ref> On July 22, 2015, after approximately six hours of jury deliberations, Libous was convicted of one count of lying to the F.B.I.; because of the felony conviction, he forfeited his Senate seat.<ref name="bye">{{cite news|last1=Kaplan|first1=Thomas|title=Thomas Libous, New York State Senator, Is Convicted of Lying to F.B.I.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/23/nyregion/thomas-libous-new-york-state-senator-is-convicted-of-lying-to-fbi.html|accessdate=22 September 2019|work=The New York Times|date=July 23, 2015|page=A20}}</ref> 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 to his terminal cancer.<ref name="pressconnects1">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/new-york/2015/11/24/libous-sentenced-house-arrest/76315590 |title=Libous: 6 months house arrest, 2 years probation, $50K fine |publisher=Pressconnects.com |date=November 24, 2015 |accessdate=2015-11-26}}</ref> Libous appealed the conviction. On May 30, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated his conviction and ordered the return of the fine to his estate because Libous had been appealing the conviction at the time of his death.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/politics-on-the-hudson/2017/05/30/ex-sen-tom-libous-conviction-overturned-fine-returned/102310138/|title=Ex-Sen. Tom Libous' Conviction Vacated, $50K Fine Overturned|last=Campbell|first=Jon|date=May 30, 2017|work=Lohud}}</ref>
==Personal life== Libous lived in Binghamton with his wife, Frances, who served as Vice Chair of the Workers Compensation Board.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2014/08/search-warrant-targets-frances-libous-wife-of-gop-senator-014945|title=Search warrant targets Frances Libous, wife of G.O.P. senator|first=Jimmy|last=Vielkind|website=Politico PRO|date=August 11, 2014}}</ref> The couple had two sons, Matthew and Nicholas.<ref name="auto"/>
In 2009, Libous was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer.<ref name=towering>{{cite news|url=https://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/2016/05/03/senator-libous-obituary/83890876/|title=A TOWERING LEGACY: Thomas Libous dies at 63|work=PressConnects.com|last=Roby|first=John|date=May 3, 2016|access-date=October 29, 2018}}</ref> He underwent treatment while still serving in the State Senate. In 2010, he founded "I Turned Pro" to encourage men over age 50 to talk to their doctors about the risks of prostate cancer.<ref>{{cite news|title=Libous Undergoing Second Round of Chemotherapy|url=http://www.wicz.com/news2005/viewarticle.asp?a=28567|accessdate=November 25, 2015|newspaper=WICZ News|date=September 16, 2013}}</ref>
Libous died of cancer at a hospice facility in Endicott, New York, on May 3, 2016.<ref name=nytimes>{{cite news|first=Jesse|last=McKinley |title=Former Binghamton Mayor Al Libous dies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/04/nyregion/thomas-libous-powerful-new-york-senator-felled-by-scandal-dies-at-63.html?_r=0 |work=The New York Times |date=2016-05-04 |accessdate=2016-07-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wbng.com/news/local/Former-NYS-Senator-Tom-Libous-loses-battle-with-cancer-377979911.html |title=Remembering Tom Libous: Former NYS Senator loses battle with cancer |website=WBNG.com |access-date=May 4, 2016 |archive-date=May 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504130727/http://www.wbng.com/news/local/Former-NYS-Senator-Tom-Libous-loses-battle-with-cancer-377979911.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> His uncle, former Binghamton Mayor Al Libous, died in June 2016 at the age of 88.<ref name=psb>{{cite news|first=Jeff |last=Platsky |title=Former Binghamton Mayor Al Libous dies |url=https://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/2016/06/30/former-binghamton-mayor-al-libous-dies/86572176/ |work=Press & Sun-Bulletin |date=2016-06-30 |accessdate=2016-07-18}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-ny-sen}} {{s-bef|before=Warren M. Anderson}} {{s-ttl|title=New York State Senate<br />51st district|years=1989–2002}} {{s-aft|after=James L. Seward}} |- {{s-bef|before=Randy Kuhl}} {{s-ttl|title=New York State Senate<br />52nd district|years=2003–2015}} {{s-aft|after=Fred Akshar}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Libous, Thomas W.}} Category:1953 births Category:2016 deaths Category:American politicians of Lebanese descent Category:Republican Party New York (state) state senators Category:People from Johnson City, New York Category:Deaths from cancer in New York (state) Category:New York (state) politicians convicted of crimes Category:New York (state) politicians convicted of corruption Category:21st-century members of the New York State Legislature Category:20th-century members of the New York State Legislature