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Two years ago, Gary George was running for governor.
Today he faces prison, finishing the final chapter in one of the hardest falls from power in the history of the Wisconsin Legislature.
U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa sentenced the former state senator to four years in federal prison Thursday for using his legislative staff as personal gofers and his position in the Senate to line his own pockets through a kickback scheme that netted hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Wisconsin history is dotted with a handful of lawmakers who have run afoul of the law, but perhaps none has fallen as far as George or been slapped with a stiffer penalty.
What's more, George may be just the beginning. Five lawmakers are awaiting trial in state court in connection with a probe into illegal campaigning at the State Capitol.
"Maybe the judge wanted to send a message to politicians that they're not going to be treated any different," said University of Wisconsin-La Crosse political scientist Joe Heim.
"If I'm one of the persons who's been charged, I'd be a little more worried today. A politician has to be held to a higher standard."