BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Long before his indictment, before state and federal agents raided his home, before the Western New York Progressive Caucus was even an idea,Steve Pigeon was the leader of the Erie County Democratic Party; a party some members say had fallen into disrepair.
"We were deep in debt. The party headquarters had basically shut down. There were no files - there was nothing," said Len Lenihan, former chairman of the Erie County Democratic Committee.
About four years into his tenure, Pigeon's abrasive style of politics had worn thin with some committee members.
"I was involved with a group called the 'Task Force To Renew the Democratic Party.' That was formed in the year 2000, the fourth year of Steve's tenure as chairman and basically got together because people were offended by the way he was operating," said Ken Kruly, a former committee member.
The 2000 coup failed but the task force took up the cause again two years later. This time, seeing the writing on the wall, Pigeon chose not to run for reelection. Kruly emerged as the candidate for the anti-Pigeon brigade.
"I was actually the candidate of the task force for county chairman at that time. Jim Keane and Len Lenihan got into it. Len wound up as the chairman and at that point Steve was out," said Kruly.
"I sort of reluctantly got into the race and ultimately I emerged. Matter of fact, they said Len Lenihan, everybody's second choice," said Lenihan.
Lenihan believes Pigeon operated on the edge of the rules as chairman, but took it even further once he was ousted, making it his mission to sabotage the Democratic committee.
"It went from light to dark but once he was in that downward spiral, Steve no longer cared about what the rules were and frankly didn't care about a lot of the people involved and who got hurt."
Lenihan says ultimately Pigeon has found himself in trouble because he didn't follow campaign finance laws. While he's being prosecuted for bribing a judge, it was an elections complaint that allowed investigators to obtain the evidence.
"Basically, Steve's luck ran out. I mean, people have been chasing him for a long time."
Pigeon is known for being well-connected, although Lenihan believes his predecessor exaggerates his influence. Kruly says that network has gone quiet.
"I've spoken to a lot of folks over the last few days and frankly there's a lot of happy people that this is coming to some justice after so many years," Kruly said.