WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- A jury of three men and nine women will decide the legal fate of state Sen. Tom Libous, a Binghamton Republican and powerful state political figure who is accused of lying to the FBI.
"I expect to be very successful, we expect to show our innocence. I've said that all along," Libous said. "I feel very strongly about it and we're going to be successful.
Libous is accused of lying to federal law enforcement during a 2010 interview regarding his son Matthew's job at a law firm in Westchester County.
Matthew Libous, whose sentencing in his tax evasion case was delayed so he could be present for his father's trial, was not in court on Monday.
"It's going to be a long week, so we'll see," said Tom Libous.
Libous is only the latest in a line of state lawmakers to be accused of corruption. During jury selection, Judge Vincent Briccetti asked potential jurors whether they heard of any other state political corruption cases. Many laughed and raised their hands.
"An individual defendant is placed in a group and we don't respect that each individual case is different, but you know what, one of the jurors said that, the judge latched on to that, he said that's exactly right and I thought that's all you can ask for in this situation," said Paul Derohannesian, Libous' attorney.
Federal prosecutors meanwhile subpoenaed Libous's medical records. There is no word if they play to use the information in court.
The lawmaker wrapped up a round of cancer treatments this spring, which kept him from Albany.
"We're still fighting the cancer. We're taking medication and we were in chemo for that, but I'm doing okay," he said.
Opening statements from both the prosecution and the defense will be given on Tuesday.