MADISON, Wis. -- Former state Sen. Chuck Chvala was sentenced on Thursday to nine months in Dane County Jail and two years probation for his part in the state Capitol corruption scandal.

The jail sentence is three months longer than the plea deal recommendation, WISC-TV reported.

Chvala apologized in Dane County Circuit Court on Thursday morning where he was being sentenced for directing employees to campaign on state time.

Chvala, the former Senate majority leader, pleaded guilty to two felony counts that grew out of the state Capitol corruption scandal three years ago. That scandal erupted after news reports of state employees doing political campaign work on state time, among other activities that prosecutors said violated state law.

Three Republicans are set for trial early next year on charges resulting from the same investigation.

Chvala told the court on Thursday that he merely created an atmosphere that allowed state workers to believe that they could use their public offices for campaign work.

Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney David Feiss ridiculed Chvala's assertion that he was a passive observer to illegal campaign work. Feiss said that nothing could be further from the truth. He said that Chvala committed "long-term, calculated, systematic abuses of power."

The prosecutor said that Chvala had only taken a minimal responsibility for his actions and has tarnished the perception of Wisconsin's elected officials.

Chvala reached a plea deal last month, pleading guilty to two charges and having 17 others dismissed.

Chvala's attorneys have filed papers saying that former lawmaker should only be sentenced to community service.

Sentenced earlier was former Sen. Brian Burke, a Milwaukee Democrat who pleaded guilty to misconduct in office and obstruction of justice. He received a six-month jail term and was ordered to pay restitution of more than $85,000.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.