(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - Former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi has been sentenced to eight years in prison on corruption charges.
DiMasi was convicted of using his clout to steer $17.5 million in state contracts to a software firm in exchange for kickbacks.
U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolf also sentenced co-defendant Richard McDonough, a prominent Statehouse lobbyist, to seven years for his role in the scheme.
Prosecutors had asked for a 12 1/2 year sentence for DiMasi.
Defense attorneys asked for three years, citing DiMasi's public service and strong family ties.
Richard Vitale, an accountant and close friend of DiMasi, was acquitted by the jury.
A fourth defendant in the case, former software salesman Joseph Lally, pleaded guilty before the trial and testified against the other three men.
DiMasi and McDonough will both appeal their convictions.
