Officials call for convicted broadcaster to lose Westchester Sports Hall of Fame honor

County Executive George Latimer and Legislator Chairman Vedat Gashi have expressed their stance, emphasizing that Leaf should lose his recognition based on court documents that reveal his plea entered last Thursday.

Rob Taub

Jul 6, 2023, 2:47 AM

Updated 464 days ago

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Westchester County officials are urging the Westchester Sports Hall of Fame to remove a well-known local sports announcer, Richard Leaf, from his honored position following his recent guilty plea to a federal child pornography charge.
County Executive George Latimer and Legislator Chairman Vedat Gashi have expressed their stance, emphasizing that Leaf should lose his recognition based on court documents that reveal his plea entered last Thursday.
The final decision, however, rests with the Sports Hall of Fame.
Leaf, a native of Somers, faced charges in 2021 after his computer was found to contain multiple instances of child pornography.
"A crime is a crime of various sorts, but some are particularly heinous," stated Latimer.
Gashi echoed Latimer's sentiments, stating, "The Hall of Fame will uphold its mission to honor the sports community and our wider community."
Leaf, a retired Harrison Middle School teacher, is set to be sentenced in January and faces a potential prison term of five to 20 years.