Chattanooga, TN - Federal Judge Al Edgar sentenced former Hamilton County Commissioner William Cotton to serve three years in prison Tuesday afternoon. He must report by June 5, and pay $9,500 in restitution.

Mr. Cotton nor his defense attorney, Hank Hill, had any comment following the sentencing. He could have been sentenced up to 20 years in prison.

In February, after 18 hours of deliberation, a jury found Mr. Cotton guilty on two of three bribery charges. The federal government said Cotton accepted money in exchange for favorable treatment for E-Cycle, a bogus company set up by the FBI in the Operation Tennessee Waltz bribery sting.

He immediately resigned his seat on the Hamilton County commission.

Following the conviction County Commissioner Curtis Adams said, "It's hypocritical of me to act like I'm sorry he's gone. I'm sorry he's going to jail. I wouldn't have cared if they found him guilty and gave him probation. But, I'm glad he's leaving the county courthouse.”

Former Cleveland, Tennessee lawmaker Chris Newton was the first person sentenced after the sting. Last year, he resigned from office after pleading guilty to extortion and bribery conspiracy. Newton got one year and one day in prison, which he started serving in April.

Chattanooga lobbyist and former school board member Charles Love also pleaded guilty following the investigation. He is scheduled for sentencing in August.

Democratic State Senator Ward Crutchfield from Hamilton County also faces charges in the federal sting. He is still awaiting trial and has pleaded not guilty to accepting bribes in the undercover sting.

Others awaiting trials on bribery and extortion charges are state Senator Kathryn Bowers of Memphis, and former senators Roscoe Dixon and John Ford -- both of Memphis.