Former Chicago Alderman Gets 10.5 Years for Corruption

Ambrosio Medrano also faces sentencing for a conviction in a separate health care case

A former Chicago alderman has been sentenced to 10 ½ years in federal prison for scheming to pay bribes for medical contracts and for receiving kickbacks.

Judge Gary Feinerman sentenced 61-year-old Ambrosio Medrano on Friday.

Before sentencing, Medrano tearfully apologized and called his behavior "disgraceful" and said he acted "foolishly."

Prosecutors had asked for a prison sentence of between 14 and 17 1/2 years. They said his behavior was especially egregious because he's a repeat offender.

Medrano served time in the '90s for accepting a bribe.

But defense lawyer Gal Pissetzky had said Medrano should get no more than nine years because of his "genuinely redeemable qualities."

The federal correction facility in Englewood, Colo., -- the same prison where former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is serving his corruption sentence -- is among those Medrano requested.

Medrano also faces sentencing for a conviction in a separate health care case.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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