Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff was sentenced to 48 months in prison for a conspiracy to defraud tribal clients, bribe a member of Congress and evade federal taxes.

Judge Ellen S. Huvelle acknowledged Abramoff's extensive cooperation with an ongoing corruption inquiry. But she imposed a harsher sentence than Abramoff and the Department of Justice sought.

The sentence, however, will essentially supersede the one he is serving after pleading guilty to bank fraud charges. In total, he will serve barely under six years for the largest scandal to hit Washington, D.C., in decades.

More than a dozen people have been charged in connection with the scandal and all but one pleaded guilty. One member of Congress and one Interior Department official served time in prison for their crimes.

Get the Story:
Abramoff Gets Reduced Sentence of Four Years in Prison (The Washington Post 9/5)
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Abramoff Gets 4 Years in Prison for Corruption (The New York Times 9/5)
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Jack Abramoff is sentenced to 4 years in prison (The Los Angeles Times 9/5)
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Abramoff Sentenced To Four More Years (The Politico 9/5)
Abramoff sentenced to 4 years in prison (McClatchy Newspapers 9/5)
Abramoff gets 4-year prison term (AP 9/5)

Relevant Documents:
DOJ Press Release (September 4, 2008)

Related Stories:
Blog: Some tribes not really Abramoff victims (9/5)
Abramoff writes letter to judge before sentencing (9/4)
Abramoff set for sentencing in tribal fraud case (9/3)
Tribes want to speak at Abramoff sentencing (9/1)
Abramoff pleads for leniency ahead of sentencing (8/29)
DOJ seeks reduction in sentence for Abramoff (08/28)