Vincent Leibell
Encyclopedia
Vincent L. "Uncle Vinny" Leibell, III (born August 6, 1946) is a convicted felon and disgraced politician from Putnam County, New York
. After a long career in the New York State Legislature, Leibell ran for and was elected County Executive-elect in Putnam County in 2010, but resigned prior to taking office following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
which led to his arrest and subsequent conviction on Federal corruption charges.
His resignation was in connection with a Federal plea arrangement stemming from two felony convictions relating to kickbacks Leibell had received while using his position as State Senator to steer taxpayer monies
towards two local non-profit agencies which he controlled. He is currently serving a 21 month prison sentence at the Federal Correctional Institute
in Loretto, Pennsylvania
.
. His grandfather and namesake was a federal judge, Vincent L. Leibell
.
Leibell worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Westchester County District Attorney's office. He was a Captain in the New York Naval Militia
.
. Because he was convicted of two felony counts of corruption in 2010, Leibell was forced to forfeit his law license. According to the Daily News, Leibell plead guilty to two of seventeen charges to end a Federal investigation of him into non-profit foundations he controlled and land deals that were arranged through those foundations, including the construction of a large house for the eight-term senator.
State Assemblyman from 1983 to 1994 and State Senator
from 1994 to 2010. He was first elected to the State Senate in 1994 when he defeated former New York State Lieutenant Governor Alfred DelBello
. A Republican
, Leibell decided not to seek re-election to the New York State Senate in 2010 and instead successfully won the race for Putnam County Executive
in the same year. Over the years, he attracted controversy for his reputation for patronage
and as a political
kingmaker
in Putnam County, once telling the local news paper that his preferred method of handling
political opposition
was to "kill them in the cradle
."
Although he had a twenty-eight year career in the State Legislature, Leibell was not particularly known for his legislative accomplishments and passed no significant legislation with his name attached to it, yet Leibell's largesse with so-called pork barrel spending
and ability to "bring home the bacon" earned him the moniker "Uncle Vinnie".
Even after being convicted of two felonies, Leibell attracted further scandal when it was revealed he used campaign funds to spend $931 on new tires and $267 in Barnes and Nobles visits days after pleading guilty on Federal corruption charges. The government watchdog group Citizens Union
called Leibell's actions part of a "legislative crime wave" in New York State, and named Leibell one of 17 legislators who lost their seat due to criminal issues in from 2004 to 2010.
, tax evasion
, and obstruction of justice
charges related to $43,000 in cash kickbacks he took from 2003 to 2006. Leibell had resigned from the State Senate on December 2, 2010, just prior to being arrested, which controversially due to a loophole in the New York State pension system allows him to keep a $71,000 pension despite his conviction.
The charges stated Leibell doled out $6.5 million in taxpayer funded "member items" to nonprofit groups he controlled from 2005 to 2010, according to records maintained by the Empire Center for New York State Policy and the Albany Project. He was sentenced to twenty one months in Federal Prison, after a Federal Judge rejected a plea by Leibell's lawyer to have the former Senator sent overseas to do "nation building work" in the Middle East instead of jailtime, a suggestion which outraged the media and local residents whom Leibell had betrayed by his actions.
The Leibell property in Patterson, New York
formerly belonged to the late actress Elizabeth Montgomery
, who employed Leibell's law firm to attend to certain legal matters. Leibell later purchased a portion of the property after the settlement of the Montgomery estate. Through use of Leibell's Senate position, the rest of the land became Wonder Lake State Park
, which, from its founding in 1998 until 2006, had no discernible public access points.
Critics called Wonder Lake a personal park for the Senator, but Lebeill tried to assert it was used by hikers, though the park was shuttered nonetheless by the State amidst the 2010 New York State budget crisis. Leibell also used $230,000 in taxpayer dollars to construct a wooden footbridge on Route 311 in Patterson which critics derided as a "bridge to nowhere." Ironically, Leibell had moved to the home from Tammany Hall
Road, named after the corrupt political machine run by Boss Tweed
in mid-19th century New York.
"Leibell has only himself to blame for the fact that, after 28 years in public office, this conviction will be the capstone to that career," said Preet Bharara
, the United States attorney
for Manhattan
who announced Leibell's guilty plea. Bharara explained that the FBI recorded Leibell threatening not to pay invoices sent to Leibell's 501(c)(3) nonprofit by an unnamed attorney unless the attorney paid half of the invoice amount back to Leibell in cash.
Putnam County, New York
Putnam County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the lower Hudson River Valley. Putnam county formed in 1812, when it detached from Dutchess County. , the population was 99,710. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. The county seat is the hamlet of Carmel...
. After a long career in the New York State Legislature, Leibell ran for and was elected County Executive-elect in Putnam County in 2010, but resigned prior to taking office following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
which led to his arrest and subsequent conviction on Federal corruption charges.
His resignation was in connection with a Federal plea arrangement stemming from two felony convictions relating to kickbacks Leibell had received while using his position as State Senator to steer taxpayer monies
Pork barrel
Pork barrel is a derogatory term referring to appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district...
towards two local non-profit agencies which he controlled. He is currently serving a 21 month prison sentence at the Federal Correctional Institute
Federal Correctional Institution, Loretto
Federal Correctional Institution, Loretto is a U.S. federal prison near Loretto, Pennsylvania. It is a low-security facility housing male inmates. An adjacent satellite prison camp houses minimum-security male offenders....
in Loretto, Pennsylvania
Loretto, Pennsylvania
Loretto is a borough in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is officially part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area as recognized by the US Census Bureau, but local sources list it as part of the Altoona, Pennsylvania area due to its proximity to...
.
Early life and background
Leibell was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. His grandfather and namesake was a federal judge, Vincent L. Leibell
Vincent L. Leibell (judge)
Vincent L. Leibell was a United States federal judge.Born in New York, New York, Leibell received an M.A. from St. Francis Xavier College in 1905 and an LL.B. from Fordham University School of Law in 1908. He was in private practice in New York City from 1909 to 1936.On June 8, 1936, Leibell was...
.
Leibell worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Westchester County District Attorney's office. He was a Captain in the New York Naval Militia
New York Naval Militia
The New York Naval Militia is the Naval Militia of New York State and is under the command of the Governor of New York.With the New York State Guard, as well as the Army National Guard and Air National Guard, it is under the control of the New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs and New...
.
Family
He is married, with three children. He received his BA and JD from Saint John's University, as well as an MPA from New York UniversityNew York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. Because he was convicted of two felony counts of corruption in 2010, Leibell was forced to forfeit his law license. According to the Daily News, Leibell plead guilty to two of seventeen charges to end a Federal investigation of him into non-profit foundations he controlled and land deals that were arranged through those foundations, including the construction of a large house for the eight-term senator.
Political career
Leibell had previously served as a New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
State Assemblyman from 1983 to 1994 and State Senator
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
from 1994 to 2010. He was first elected to the State Senate in 1994 when he defeated former New York State Lieutenant Governor Alfred DelBello
Alfred DelBello
Alfred Benedict DelBello is an American politician from New York. A registered Democrat, he was Lieutenant Governor of New York from 1983 to 1985.-Life:...
. A Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, Leibell decided not to seek re-election to the New York State Senate in 2010 and instead successfully won the race for Putnam County Executive
County executive
A county executive is the head of the executive branch of government in a county. This position is common in the United States.The executive may be an elected or an appointed position...
in the same year. Over the years, he attracted controversy for his reputation for patronage
Patronage
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings or popes have provided to musicians, painters, and sculptors...
and as a political
Cronyism
Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications. Hence, cronyism is contrary in practice and principle to meritocracy....
kingmaker
Kingmaker
Kingmaker is a term originally applied to the activities of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick — "Warwick the Kingmaker" — during the Wars of the Roses in England. The term has come to be applied more generally to a person or group that has great influence in a royal or political succession,...
in Putnam County, once telling the local news paper that his preferred method of handling
Negative campaigning
Negative campaigning, also known more colloquially as "mudslinging", is trying to win an advantage by referring to negative aspects of an opponent or of a policy rather than emphasizing one's own positive attributes or preferred policies...
political opposition
Dirty tricks
Dirty tricks are unethical, duplicitous, slanderous or illegal tactics employed to destroy or diminish the effectiveness of political or business opponents...
was to "kill them in the cradle
Smear campaign
A smear campaign, smear tactic or simply smear is a metaphor for activity that can harm an individual or group's reputation by conflation with a stigmatized group...
."
Although he had a twenty-eight year career in the State Legislature, Leibell was not particularly known for his legislative accomplishments and passed no significant legislation with his name attached to it, yet Leibell's largesse with so-called pork barrel spending
Earmark (politics)
In United States politics, an earmark is a legislative provision that directs approved funds to be spent on specific projects, or that directs specific exemptions from taxes or mandated fees...
and ability to "bring home the bacon" earned him the moniker "Uncle Vinnie".
Even after being convicted of two felonies, Leibell attracted further scandal when it was revealed he used campaign funds to spend $931 on new tires and $267 in Barnes and Nobles visits days after pleading guilty on Federal corruption charges. The government watchdog group Citizens Union
Citizens Union
Citizens Union is one of the United States' first good government groups. Founded in 1897 as a political party, the group was reconstituted in 1908 as a non-partisan member organization with the broad mission of serving "as a watchdog for the public interest and an advocate for the common...
called Leibell's actions part of a "legislative crime wave" in New York State, and named Leibell one of 17 legislators who lost their seat due to criminal issues in from 2004 to 2010.
FBI investigation, conviction
On June 26, 2010, the Journal News reported that FBI subpoenaed records for the home that Leibell built in Patterson, New York. On December 6, 2010, Leibell plead guilty to felony briberyBribery
Bribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
, tax evasion
Tax evasion
Tax evasion is the general term for efforts by individuals, corporations, trusts and other entities to evade taxes by illegal means. Tax evasion usually entails taxpayers deliberately misrepresenting or concealing the true state of their affairs to the tax authorities to reduce their tax liability,...
, and obstruction of justice
Obstruction of justice
The crime of obstruction of justice, in United States jurisdictions, refers to the crime of interfering with the work of police, investigators, regulatory agencies, prosecutors, or other officials...
charges related to $43,000 in cash kickbacks he took from 2003 to 2006. Leibell had resigned from the State Senate on December 2, 2010, just prior to being arrested, which controversially due to a loophole in the New York State pension system allows him to keep a $71,000 pension despite his conviction.
The charges stated Leibell doled out $6.5 million in taxpayer funded "member items" to nonprofit groups he controlled from 2005 to 2010, according to records maintained by the Empire Center for New York State Policy and the Albany Project. He was sentenced to twenty one months in Federal Prison, after a Federal Judge rejected a plea by Leibell's lawyer to have the former Senator sent overseas to do "nation building work" in the Middle East instead of jailtime, a suggestion which outraged the media and local residents whom Leibell had betrayed by his actions.
The Leibell property in Patterson, New York
Patterson, New York
Patterson is a town in Putnam County, New York, United States. The town is in the northeast part of the county. Interstate 84 passes through the southwest part of the town. The population was 11,306 at the 2000 census. The town is named after early farmer Matthew Paterson...
formerly belonged to the late actress Elizabeth Montgomery
Elizabeth Montgomery
Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery was an American film and television actress whose career spanned five decades. She is perhaps best remembered for her roles as Samantha Stephens in Bewitched, as Ellen Harrod in A Case of Rape and as Lizzie Borden in The Legend of Lizzie Borden.-Early life:Born in Los...
, who employed Leibell's law firm to attend to certain legal matters. Leibell later purchased a portion of the property after the settlement of the Montgomery estate. Through use of Leibell's Senate position, the rest of the land became Wonder Lake State Park
Wonder Lake State Park
Wonder Lake State Park is a state park in Putnam County, New York, U.S. in the town of Patterson. It was founded in 1998 with an original 794 acres, and was expanded by the purchase of of open space in February 2006....
, which, from its founding in 1998 until 2006, had no discernible public access points.
Critics called Wonder Lake a personal park for the Senator, but Lebeill tried to assert it was used by hikers, though the park was shuttered nonetheless by the State amidst the 2010 New York State budget crisis. Leibell also used $230,000 in taxpayer dollars to construct a wooden footbridge on Route 311 in Patterson which critics derided as a "bridge to nowhere." Ironically, Leibell had moved to the home from Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
Road, named after the corrupt political machine run by Boss Tweed
Boss Tweed
William Magear Tweed – often erroneously referred to as William Marcy Tweed , and widely known as "Boss" Tweed – was an American politician most notable for being the "boss" of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in the politics of 19th century...
in mid-19th century New York.
"Leibell has only himself to blame for the fact that, after 28 years in public office, this conviction will be the capstone to that career," said Preet Bharara
Preet Bharara
Preetinder S. Bharara , commonly known as Preet Bharara, is U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.-Early life and education:Bharara was born in 1968 in Firozpur, Punjab, India, to a Sikh father and Hindu mother...
, the United States attorney
United States Attorney
United States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
for Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
who announced Leibell's guilty plea. Bharara explained that the FBI recorded Leibell threatening not to pay invoices sent to Leibell's 501(c)(3) nonprofit by an unnamed attorney unless the attorney paid half of the invoice amount back to Leibell in cash.