Former state Treasurer Robert Vigil has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison.
His sentencing took most of the day, the Associated Press reported, and came after U.S. District Judge James Browning rejected a last-minute attempt to secure a new trial.
Vigil, 53, was also sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to pay a fine of $97,000 for his conviction on attempted extortion.
Vigil remains free for now, the news service reported, but must wear an ankle monitoring bracelet and report for prison time within 60 days.
“Mr. Vigil, good luck to you,” Browning was quoted as saying. “I hope you and your family can put this behind you. I hope the state can as well.”
Vigil faced between 27 and 61 months, Browning said. He went for the middle because the low end didn’t account for Vigil’s position as a public official, and the high end didn’t account for the fact that Vigil was convicted of attempting to extort, not actual extortion.
Vigil, before the sentencing was handed down, thanked the judges and juries who heard his two trials. The first ended with a hung jury.
“I also want to thank my friends for their prayers. Their support has helped me through this very difficult time in my life. I also want to thank all my family. They mean more to me than anything on earth,” the news service quoted Vigil as saying. “I love them so much.”