Wayne Bryant, once one of the most-powerful men in the New Jersey State Senate, was sentenced to four years in federal prison Friday afternoon and ordered to pay $113,167 in restitution. His co-defendant, Dr. R. Michael Gallagher of Haddonfield, was sentenced to 18 months.
Bryant faced up to 10 years and Gallagher up to eight. Both were found guilty last year of bribery and pension fraud.
The former Camden County state senator was found guilty of accepting a low-show job with the University of Medicine and Dentistry in exchange for steering more than $10 million in state aid to the school. He used the job and others to nearly triple his state pension, jurors had said. Gallagher, who worked at the school, conspired with Bryant to create the part-time job. It paid $35,000 a year.
Bryant gave up his impartiality as a legislator when he accepted money, even if he intended to help his constituents with it, said U.S. District Court Judge Freda Wolfson while handing down the sentence.
However, she also took into account his career accomplishments.
Bryant dabbed his eyes during the hearing, according to the AP.
“I cannot express how deeply sorry I am for the scorn my actions have caused,'' said Bryant, who choked up while apologizing for his crimes before being sentenced.
Politics
The once-strong Garden State political figure's pastor wanted a judge to consider the Bryant's good deeds before imposing the sentence.
The Rev. Douglas Goldborough of Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Lawnside called his congregant "decent" and "compassionate."
Bryant isn't the only former politician recently given prison time. Earlier this month, former Pennsylvania State Sen. Vince Fumo was sentenced to federal prison for corrupt acts.
