(AP) - A once-powerful New Jersey political figure convicted of bribery and pension fraud has been sentenced to four years in federal prison.

In handing down the sentence Friday, U.S. District Court JudgeFreda Wolfson said former state Sen. Wayne Bryant gave up hisimpartiality as a legislator when he accepted money, even if heintended to help his constituents with it.

However, she also took into account his career accomplishments. "I cannot express how deeply sorry I am for the scorn myactions have caused," said Bryant, who choked up while apologizingfor his crimes before being sentenced. He had faced up to 10 years.

Bryant was found guilty of accepting a low-show job with theUniversity of Medicine and Dentistry in exchange for steeringmillions of grants to the school. Jurors also said he used the joband others to nearly triple his state pension.