ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — The former mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison on corruption charges.
Democrat Ed Pawlowski told the judge before his sentencing Tuesday he chose a life of public service because he "wanted to make a difference." He says he "worked hard, night and day, to try to bring this city back."
Pawlowski was denied bail. After sentencing, he was handcuffed and taken from the courtroom.
A jury convicted Pawlowski in March of trading campaign cash for city contracts. Federal prosecutors say he coerced city vendors to contribute to his failed campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate. They had asked for a sentence of at least 13 years. Pawlowski's lawyer argued for a lighter sentence.
