Latimer, Gashi Call For Sports Announcer's Removal From Hall Of Fame

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Two top Westchester County officials are calling for the removal of a local sports announcer from the county Sports Hall of Fame because he pleaded guilty to having child pornography.

Former Harrison social studies teacher Richard Leaf, of Somers, 75, pleaded guilty in federal court last week to one count of receiving child pornography, the Journal News reported.

The charge carries a prison term between five and 20 years.

Leaf is scheduled for sentencing in January.

He was accused in February 2021 of posing as a teenager to communicate via Skype with a minor who sent him a pornographic video and a fully nude photograph.

Prosecutors also said Leaf created fake accounts on social media to chat with minors.

He was inducted into the Westchester County Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Board of Legislators Chairman Vedat Gashi sent a letter Wednesday to members of the Sports Hall of Fame Committee asking them to “take immediate action to remove Rich Leaf” from the hall of fame.

“By removing Mr. Leaf from the Hall of Fame, we send a clear message that the Westchester Sports Hall of Fame stands firmly against any actions or behaviors that compromise the principles it represents,” the letter said.

At a news conference Wednesday, Latimer said that Leaf has not just been accused of a crime, but has pleaded guilty.

Removing him from the Hall of Fame is the right thing to do, he said.

“A crime is a crime,” Latimer said, “but some are particularly heinous.”