Dianne Wilkerson Sentenced to 3 12 Years in Prison

BOSTON (AP) - A former Massachusetts state senator convicted of
corruption after being videotaped stuffing bribe money into her bra
has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

 Dianne Wilkerson was sentenced on Thursday after taking
responsibility for her actions and asking U.S. District Court Judge
Douglas Woodlock for mercy.

Wilkerson, the first black woman elected to the Massachusetts
Senate, pleaded guilty in June to eight counts of attempted
extortion for taking $23,500 in bribes from undercover agents and a
Boston businessman who was cooperating with the FBI.

The Boston Democrat offered no explanation for her actions but
said she didn't enjoy money.

Prosecutors asked the judge to sentence Wilkerson to four years
in prison. Her lawyer did not make a recommendation.

      (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)