Our exclusive interview is taking us inside the life of the Libous family in the final years of the late State Senator Tom Libous. Libous was one of the Southern Tier's most prominent public officials, but in 2015, his life was surrounded by controversy. Libous was originally convicted on corruption charges -- a conviction later vacated following his death. Vince Briga spoke with his son Nick, as he reflects on that tough time, and the legacy his father left behind.

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- He was one of the most recognizable faces in the Southern Tier for nearly 30 years. First elected in 1988, the late Tom Libous would go on to become the deputy majority leader of the New York State Senate.

In an exclusive interview, Spectrum News caught up with Libous' son Nick, as he reflects on the legacy his father left behind.

"He loved the people that lived here," Nick Libous said. "He knew many of them and he knew that they were hard-working, motivated individuals, and that's what fired him up to do the exact same thing."

But the senator's professional life took a turn for the worse just a year before his passing. He was losing his battle to prostate cancer, and in 2015, he was found guilty of corruption charges for lying to the FBI.

As a penalty, he was forced to pay a fine of $50,000. But in May of this year, a year after his death, that conviction was vacated by the appellate court.

"It was certainly a challenge, but we're very happy to see that it was vacated, and if he were alive, we do believe that he would have won his appeal,” said Libous.

The conviction was vacated, in part, because Libous didn't get a chance to fully defend himself due to his passing.

In his nearly 30 years in office, Libous worked closely with SUNY Broome and Binghamton University, and started the YES safe choices program that still exists today. His son says regardless of the controversy at the end of his life, he hopes his father will be remembered for much more.

"I hope as someone who was inspiring, somebody who cares about people and wants to make a difference, and my father always told me you can get whatever you want out of life as long as you help other people get what they want," said Libous.

Nick Libous operates a private sector business with his brother, and says his father’s work ethic motivated them to be the men they are today.

Because his conviction was vacated, the state of New York is required to pay back the $50,0000 to the Libous estate. Libous was replaced by current Senator Fred Akshar after a special election in 2015.