A federal judge sentenced former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell to two years in prison on Tuesday, in a case that gripped the state and provided a cautionary tale for corrupt politicians across the United States. Two years ago McDonnell was discussed as a possible presidential contender. Now he's headed behind bars for selling the influence of his office to the CEO of a dietary supplements company. 'I stand before you as a heartbroken and humbled man,' the former governor told U.S. District Judge James Spencer before he pronounced sentence. 'I can't fathom any deeper humiliation for me and my family.'
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Prosecutors had asked for a 10-year prison term while McDonnell's lawyers are arguing for a lengthy community-service sentence
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Judge James Spencer revised report on federal sentencing guidelines down to a range of 6.5 to 8 years – and then gave an even shorter sentence
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The former governor was convicted of accepting loans and lavish gifts in exchange for helping donor promote miracle-cure weight loss supplement
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McDonnell's wife, who shared blame, will be sentenced in February
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More than 400 letters of support have flooded the judge's chambers, including the backing of former guv and current US Senator Tim Kaine
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The new convict will likely do his time in a minimum-security federal 'prison camp' rather than a more secure penitentiary
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