The former mayor of New Jersey's capital city will spend nearly five years in prison for corruption.
Forty-eight-year-old Tony Mack stood in front of a packed courtroom Thursday as U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp sentenced Trenton's ex-leader to a jail term of 58 months and ordered him to pay a $3,000 fine. He must also complete 100 hours of community service over a 6-month span.
Earlier this year, a jury found Mack guilty of bribery, fraud and extortion after he was busted as part of a government sting.
The one-time leader of Trenton could have received up to 20 years in prison, but U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp recommended a sentence of 63 to 78 months during Thursday's hearing.
Mack declined to address the court Thursday. His attorney, Mark Davis, spoke on his behalf.
Davis suggested his client spend 38 months behind bars, saying the humiliation he suffered is a much more severe punishment than a lengthy jail sentence.
"He has trouble looking his family in the eye," Davis told the court. "He will never find a career again. Everything has been stripped from him."
Davis also informed NBC10 that an alternate juror wrote a letter on Mack's behalf, saying she couldn't believe he was found guilty.
It is unclear where Mack will serve his jail sentence, but remarks from Judge Shipp indicate prison officials will decide the location, which must be close to Mack's home and family.
His brother Ralphiel Mack was also convicted of participating in a scheme to take bribes in exchange for helping get approvals to develop a parking garage. The former high school football coach was sentenced to 30 months in prison Thursday.
- EARLIER COVERAGE: Judge Removes Mack From Office
Mack remained in office for 19 days after his conviction before a judge ordered him removed from office in February. The judge also stripped Mack of his taxpayer-funded pension.
