The No. 2 Republican in the New York Senate was found guilty Wednesday of lying to the FBI, a felony conviction that will cost him his seat.

A federal jury found that Sen. Thomas Libous lied in 2010 to agents who were investigating how his son landed a high-paying job with a politically connected law firm.

The probe was part of a corruption crackdown by the U.S. attorney that has led to the arrests of several New York lawmakers, including the former leaders of both houses, Republican Sen. Dean Skelos and Democratic Assemblyman Sheldon Silver.

Libous reacted calmly when the verdict was read in a White Plains courtroom after six hours of deliberations. Outside the courthouse, he said, “I’m disappointed, but we move on.”

Asked about the state law that requires a felon to leave office, he said, “I will do it in a professional manner. I’m disappointed but it’s the system and I play by the rules.” He thanked his Binghamton-area constituents “for sticking with me.”

Libous could be sent to prison for up to five years when he is sentenced Oct. 30 by Judge Vincent Briccetti. He remains free on bail until then. His lawyer said Libous had not decided whether to appeal.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in an emailed statement that Libous “told lie after lie to hide the truth from federal agents investigating corruption in Albany.”

“Libous’ lies have been exposed, his crime has been proven, and Albany will be the better for it,” Bharara said.

The trial’s key witness was disbarred attorney Anthony Mangone, who testified for the prosecution that Libous promised to deliver business to Mangone’s law firm — enough to “build a new wing” — in exchange for hiring his son. Mangone also said Libous arranged for an Albany lobbying firm to pay a third of his son’s salary and funnel it through the law firm.

“The senator did not want to have a lobbying firm paying his son directly,” Mangone told prosecutor Benjamin Allee. “He said it wouldn’t look good.”

Defense attorney Paul DerOhannesian attacked Mangone’s credibility, noting that he was testifying in hopes of a light sentence for his bribery and extortion convictions.

“You’re a liar, aren’t you?” he asked Mangone, who replied, “I have lied at times.”

The defense lawyer also noted that the only count against Libous was that he made false statements.

“No one has accused Tom Libous of kickbacks, bribery, or using his position to get a job for his son,” he said.

Libous, who is 62 and battling cancer, did not testify. He walked stiffly and used a specially padded chair in the courtroom.

(AP)