The former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder has been sentenced to 20-years in prison for his involvement in the biggest bribery scandal in the history of Ohio.

Householder was a state legislator in Ohio for 10 years. Now he will serve twice as long as an inmate at a federal prison.

Householder, along with former GOP chair Matt Borges, was sentenced to prison by federal judge Timothy Black on Thursday morning in United States District Court of Cincinnati. This comes over three months after they were both found guilty of felony racketeering by a federal juror. Householder pushed through House Bill 6 a scheme worth nearly $61 million for a billion dollar bailout at taxpayers’ expense.

Black confirmed that Householder will be sentenced for the crime he was found guilty of. He called it the “biggest corrupt case in Ohio’s history.” Black also said the demoralization of the people was the reason.

“[Voters] trusted you,” Black said. “You betrayed this trust,” Black said. He also added that Householder’s voters deserved someone to fight for them and not themselves.

Black replied, “You have taken that from them.”

Black said that the $60 million from the bribery scam could have been used to help Ohioans with scholarships, grants, and other programs.

He said, “You have taken that from the people in Ohio.” You gave it to people who have private jets.

Black said to Householder in his statement before the sentencing that “you like control” and added that he enjoyed having people under his thumb. “You liked the control.”

Householder, in his own words before the court, spoke about the death of his daughter when she was 4 years old. Black mentioned this in his statements. He said that Householder’s loss of his daughter at age 4 should have made him more empathetic towards people.

Black told Black: “You didn’t serve the people, in truth.” “You served yourself.”

Black, in his final remarks before sentencing said that Householder had tried to deceive the jury by making repeated false statements on the witness stand.

Black told Householder, “I don’t believe you understand it.” “We reap what you sow.”

Black announced Householder’s punishment: 20 years in jail.

Black stated after he handed down his sentence that “the court’s and the community’s patience has run out with Larry Householder.” Householder was immediately taken into custody and handcuffed.

Ken Parker, U.S. attorney, stated that the sentence was “justice for Ohioans”.

Parker stated that this is what he meant by accountability.

He added, “It proved that in order to claim to be a public employee, you must actually be one.”

Morgan Trau, a reporter at the statehouse, asked Parker: “Should Householder’s former staffers and current legislators be worried right now?”

Parker laughed. “Not if there was nothing wrong with them.” “We will continue to review evidence, listen to recordings, and speak with individuals. If something is there, we are going to go there and deal with the matter.”

Trau asked Parker whether Householder’s appeal to another court would have merit.

He replied, “I’m confident we’ll win on appeal.”

Earlier today

Householder was asked by reporters how he felt as he entered the courthouse.

He replied, “I don’t feel — I feel nothing.”

He replied that he didn’t have any hopes for the day.

Black would have crushed any remaining hope he might have had.

Trau tweeted live during the sentencing, including Householder’s objections and statements by prosecutors and Householder, as well as his attorney. This was done before the judge made a decision.

FBI asked for 16-20 years sentence for Householder

According to a sentencing memo released last week, the FBI requested that Householder be sentenced to 16-20 years of prison for “causing irreparable damage to democracy.”

The filing says that “he acted as a quintessential gangster, leading the criminal enterprise in the shadows while using his casket-carriers to carry out the scheme.”

The filing says that the scope of the conspiracy is unprecedented. It also states the damage it has caused, in terms of potential financial harm for Ohioans as well as its erosion of trust in the public.

The Householder Requests 12 to 18 Month Sentence

Householder filed court documents in which he stated that he thought he deserved only 12 to 18 month’s imprisonment.

“Mr. Householder has been ruined,” said the defense lawyers. He has been humiliated, and disgraced.”

The Householder attorneys acknowledge that their request is a “tall one,” but they insist that “no defendant ought to be made a victim of public passion.”

According to the document, the good that Householder has done in the community outweighs any bad.

The document says: “Our purpose is not to relitigate facts presented to the jurors — that task will be for the appellate attorneys and appellate courts to do — but rather to present an alternative perspective on Mr. Householder, which was not reflected by his portrayal in the trial or in the media.”

The defense concluded that Householder’s character and history, as well as the nature of his offense, favor a sentence “below guidelines.”

Attorneys argued Householder had “not benefited financially from the offense,” and that the money from his right-hand person who was responsible for running the financial side of the scheme, was a loan. This “loan”, which was used to pay Householder’s debts and renovate his Florida home, was then paid back by the right-hand man who ran the financial aspect of the scheme.

The filing states that the now-convicted felon already faces punishment. “His felony conviction bars [him] from ever holding a public office in Ohio… His reputation has also been ruined.”

Householder is defiant following conviction

In March, the jury deliberated for nine hours prior to reaching a verdict, which found both Householder, and Borges, guilty of charges such as racketeering, and conspiracy. These charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.

Householder, who left the courtroom after the verdict had been read, maintained his innocence. He said that he was shocked by the jury’s ruling.

Householder told reporters that, “I was shocked by the verdict as I am not guilty.” He said he will return to his Perry County Farm to plant summer crops with his son and to go fishing. “I respect their decisions, but I disagree with them.”

The FBI sentencing memo acknowledged Householder’s defiance to the guilt verdict and the prospect for a long prison sentence.

The document states that “the defendant has never expressed regret for his actions at any point during the investigation or the trial, and the government is aware of no time when he did.” “In fact through his sworn testimony