A Pennsylvania state representative avoided a prison sentence for his role in an illegal video gambling ring.

On Monday, Judge Edward J. Borkowski sentenced former state legislator Marc Gergely to 18 months of house arrest. He also ordered him to spend three years on probation after completing the sentence.

In August, Gergely pleaded guilty to misdemeanor conspiracy and violation of election law on campaign contributions.

Gergely used his position to help illegal gambling devices operator

He was accused of helping Ronald “Porky” Melocchi in its operation of illegal gambling device in different bars and other establishments

Prosecutors argued that the former legislator used his position to alleviate the fears of business owners who were wary about putting gambling machines in their establishments.

On November 6, Gergely resigned from his position in the state legislature. His attorney requested leniency for him. Atty. Charles J. Porter Jr., told Judge Borkowski that his client “has never been in trouble before.” The lawyer also emphasized that the former lawmakers accepted accountability for his crimes. Additionally, the lawyer said others who pleaded guilty on the case were sentenced to probation.

Louis Caputo, a well-known liquor license attorney and defendant in the case also pleaded guilty to criminal solicitation charge. He got five years of probation.

In 2015, Melocchi pleaded guilty to a felony charge of corrupt organizations and misdemeanor counts of gambling devices. He also admitted engaging on a pool selling/bookmaking. He received a probation sentence of ten years.

AG Shapiro says no one is above the law

After the sentencing, Atty. Porter said Gergely receive an “an excessive sentence. He cited the fact that “nobody else in the case received anything more than probation.”

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said the case resulted in 18 convictions and sequestration of almost $1 million. According to him, “I take public corruption very seriously. No one is above the law."

Additionally, AG Shapiro emphasized that his office will prosecute public officials in Pennsylvania who corrupt their office to the full extent the law allows.”