The Latest: Ex-California lawmaker gets prison in bribe case

LOS ANGELES – The Latest on the sentencing of former California state Sen. Ron Calderon (all times local):

1:30 p.m.

A former California state senator who took bribes in exchange for supporting legislation has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years in federal prison.

A U.S. District Court judge in Los Angeles imposed the sentence Friday on Ron Calderon after listening to the former legislator ask for house arrest instead.

Federal prosecutors had sought a five-year prison term.

Calderon earlier pleaded guilty to mail fraud and acknowledged taking bribes in two instances.

The scandal rocked the state Senate and tarnished the Calderon family’s political dynasty.

His brother, Thomas Calderon, a former assemblyman and political consultant, was sentenced to 10 months for laundering bribe money.

Calderon was one of three state senators charged with separate crimes in 2014 that shook up the Legislature.

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1 p.m.

Federal prosecutors are seeking a five-year sentence for a former California state senator who took bribes in exchange for supporting legislation.

Ron Calderon faces sentencing Friday in U.S. District Court for a scandal that rocked the state senate and tarnished his family’s political dynasty.

Calderon pleaded guilty to mail fraud and admitted taking bribes in two instances.

His brother, Thomas Calderon, a former assemblyman and political consultant, was sentenced to 10 months for laundering bribe money.

Ron Calderon’s lawyer is seeking house arrest. Prosecutors say Calderon’s arguments are whimsical and revisionist about his role in the scandal.

Calderon was one of three state senators charged with separate crimes in 2014 that shook up the Legislature.

Calderon admitted accepting cash and jobs for a son and daughter.