Ex-State Official Sentenced to 4 Years' Probation

Ali Ata also was ordered to pay a $50,000 fine

A federal judge has sentenced the former executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority to four years' probation in a "pay-to-play" scheme where he donated $50,000 to then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign in exchange for the state job.

Ali Ata spoke briefly in court Tuesday, apologizing for his actions. The judge also ordered Ata to pay a $50,000 fine.

Two years ago, he testified at Blagojevich's first corruption trial.

That trial ended mostly deadlocked. But Ata's testimony helped convict the impeached governor on one count of lying to the FBI about fundraising. Ata didn't testify at Blagojevich's retrial.

Ata pleaded guilty to making false statements to a government agent and to filing a false income tax return.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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