ALBANY – State Senator Tom Libous, an influential voice for Chenango County in Albany, is ousted from office after being found guilty on Wednesday of the federal crime of lying to the FBI.

It took a jury in White Plains Federal Court six hours of deliberation to hand up a guilty verdict for the Republican Senate deputy minority leader. The felony conviction prompts Libous’ immediate expulsion from the state legislature. There is no word on whether or not he will appeal.

Libous has served the last 27 years as senator for the 52nd Senate District which encompasses Chenango, Broome, Tioga, and Delaware counties.

“Justice had to take its course, but it is a tragedy that it had to happen to Libous,” commented Chenango County Republican Committee Chairman Tom Morrone. “It’s going to be a great loss to Chenango County and to the rest of the Southern Tier ... As for what will happen in the future, nobody knows. I think there will be a lot of speculation in the future about who will run for his seat, but we should let the dust settle first.”