CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley ripped a judge's decision to spare suspended East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King from prison, calling the sentence "disgraceful."
On Wednesday, Judge Hollie Gallagher ignored the prosecutor's request to send King to prison following his conviction on corruption charges and instead sentenced King to three years of probation.
Gallagher said King will be required to take drug tests, find a full-time job and serve 100 hours of community service.
King was fined $9,658.38 and also has to reimburse the Ohio Ethics Commission $18,194.99 for the cost of the investigation and prosecution.
He is barred from running for office for the remainder of his life.
King 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.
He was found not guilty on one count of theft in office and one count of representation by a public official or employee.
What happened when the verdict was reached:
RELATED: East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King and former Councilman Ernest Smith guilty on multiple charges
The mayor was accused of authorizing more than $76,000 in city contracts and payments to businesses owned by King or his family.
"You should never, ever in your position have had a personal interest in companies that your government was dealing with," said Gallagher.
Prosecutors argued that the case boiled down to a disregard for and disdain of the law, contending that public servants can't make their own rules.
"He used his position to facilitate the offense and specifically he used powers unique to that position to facilitate some of these offenses," Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Rogalski said.
Prosecutors asked Gallagher to sentence King to prison for the crimes, but Gallagher pointed out that the city did receive supplies and office space as a result of the contracts with ties to the mayor.
"I do find that behavior is unacceptable and inappropriate," said Gallagher. "I don't find that that rises to the level of a prison sanction."
But in a statement Wednesday afternoon, O'Malley said the citizens of East Cleveland "deserve better."
"This sentence is disgraceful and encourages public officials to commit crimes," O'Malley said.
King did not speak during the sentencing. His attorney cited plans to appeal the convictions.
After the sentence was handed down, King and supporters gathered in prayer inside the courtroom.
The group then walked out, and King made a brief statement thanking the judge and his attorney.
King was suspended as mayor earlier this year after he was indicted.
The question of who will run East Cleveland moving forward is in the hands of a state appeals court.
Yesterday, former East Cleveland City Councilman Ernest Smith was sentenced to three years of probation for theft in office:
RELATED: Former East Cleveland City Councilman sentenced to 3 years probation for theft in office
