Update: Federal Judge Sentences Abramoff To 4 Years In Prison

September 4, 2008 7:51 p.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - A federal court has sentenced disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff to four more years in prison for corruption.

U.S. District Judge Ellen S. Huvelle handed down the punishment nearly three years after Abramoff pleaded guilty to charges of tax evasion, fraud and influence peddling that scandalized the Republican party.

The sentence was shorter than the 10 to 12 years asked by prosecutors as the judge gave consideration to Abramoff's cooperation with authorities in a public corruption probe that saw 12 public officials pleading guilty to accepting gifts from the lobbyist in exchange for official favors.

Abramoff and other lobbyists wined and dines lawmakers and White House aides to get funding, federal grants and favorable bills for his clients.

Abramoff has been serving a six-year sentence in a Florida prison since November 2006 on separate charges of fraud and conspiracy related to the purchase of casino boats.