Former East Cleveland City Councilman Ernest Smith was sentenced to three years probation for theft in office.
Smith was also ordered to pay $6,791 in restitution.
He has been banned from holding public office for life.
A jury found Smith and former East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King guilty of multiple corruption charges earlier this year.
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RELATED: East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King and former Councilman Ernest Smith guilty on multiple charges
Smith was found guilty of one count of theft in office, one count of soliciting or receiving improper compensation, one count of misuse of credit cards and two counts of theft.
Investigators said Smith improperly used city gas cards to rack up more nearly $6,800 in charges while in office.
"He was elected to be a public servant for the City of East Cleveland and used that position to enrich and serve himself," Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Rogalski said.
But Smith, who maintains he only used the gas to serve the community, insisted Tuesday he did nothing wrong.
"I'm not a criminal," said Smith. "Respectfully, I don't deserve to be in jail. Really, I don't deserve to be here," he told Judge Hollie Gallagher.
Gallagher spared Smith of jail or prison time, citing the amount of money involved.
"We've seen people steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from municipalities and pocket that money and use it for their own benefit," Gallagher said.
But outside the courtroom, Smith's supporters criticized the mandatory lifetime ban on holding public office that came with the conviction.
"Did he save the whole city? No, but did he save some individuals? Absolutely," Jerome Bunkley said.
Smith said he plans to fight the convictions.
"It breaks my heart when prosecutors say working in the community is not city business," said Smith. "But I plan to appeal. I look forward to an appeal."
King, who was suspended as mayor following his indictment, was found guilty of one count of theft in office, four counts of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, three counts of representation by a public official or employee, one count of filing a false disclosure statement and one count of soliciting or receiving improper compensation.
The mayor was accused of authorizing more than $76,000 in city contracts and payments to businesses owned by King or his family. The mayor was also accused of improperly providing a city car and a fuel card to Smith.
King is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday.
