Former Orange County Commissioner Mildred Fernandez learned her fate Thursday for accepting illegal campaign contributions.
Fernandez pleaded no contest last year to public corruption charges that usually carry a minimum of 22 months in prison, with a maximum sentence of 26 years. She must also pay of a fine of $7,000.
She maintained her innocence, even while taking a plea in the case, saying she did it for her family.
Prosecutors wanted Fernandez to serve at least 22 months in jail for political corruption charges after she avoided a trial by pleading guilty at the last moment, as a jury was about to hear her case.
To avoid jail time, prosecutors believed Fernandez must show remorse and prove the crime was an isolated incident that was not well thought out.
They questioned her ability to meet those requirements, especially since she's never shown remorse and claimed to be innocent even while pleading guilty.
"Let's take the plea and from that day on, I sleep every single day," Fernandez told Channel Nine Eyewitness News.
She was caught on camera taking a bribe from a man posing as a developer, willing to trade a campaign contribution for political favors while she was running for Orange County mayor.
Orange County Circuit Court Judge C. Jeffry Arnold gave Fernandez the minimum sentence of 22 months.
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- Raw Video:Â Fernandez addresses judge before being sentenced
- Raw Video:Â Judge sentences Mildred Fernandez
- Raw Video:Fernandez fingerprinted, led from courtroom after sentencing
- Slideshow:Â Mildred Fernandez sentencing
- Video interview with Mildred Fernandez  Watch Part 1 |  Watch Part 2
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