McDonnell, a Republican, was once on the short list to be Mitt Romney's vice presidential running mate in 2012. He was sentenced today after being convicted of 11 counts of corruption.
The former governor and his wife, Maureen, were found guilty in September. She was convicted of eight counts and will be sentenced in February.
Lawyers for the former governor asked a judge to order three years of community service.
The six-week jury trial exposed details of the former first couple's strained marriage and shaky finances.