Leibell Pleads Guilty

The AP reports that former Senator Vincent Leibell has plead guilty to obstruction of justice and tax evasion.

Leibell admitted in court this morning that he tried to influence a grand jury investigating corruption in Putnam County, and that he filed false tax returns for 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, failing to report a total of $43,000.

The Court scheduled Leibell’s sentencing for March 7, 2011. According to prosecutors, Leibell faces between 18 and 24 months imprisonment based on federal guidelines.

Leibell spent 28 years in the Senate and Assembly before he resigning last week with one month left in his term.  In November, he was elected Putnam county executive.

Update:  Read the U.S. Attorney’s press release, criminal information, and plea agreement.

Update 2:  NYPIRG challenges the Attorney General to review relationships between lawmakers and non-profits.