A former senator in the US Virgin Islands has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty last year to racketeering.
A judge yesterday ordered Alvin Williams Jr to serve nearly five years in prison.
Williams apologized for his actions during the sentencing in St Thomas.
He acknowledged last year that he tried to bribe an official to steer business toward a family company and solicit bribes from developers. The former lawmaker also stated that he demanded salary kickbacks from his legislative staff and that he had staff members do his coursework for an online college degree.
Two of his associates also pleaded guilty in the case. One of them was sentenced to a year in prison and the other was given probation.
