A former strip club owner who admitted bribing politicians in San Diego and Las Vegas was sentenced Monday to federal prison.
Michael Galardi was given two-and-a-half years under a plea deal he struck with federal prosecutors in Nevada. He's due for his San Diego sentencing next week.
Though Galardi bankrolled the political scandals in two states, it was his cooperation and testimony that to led to the convictions of two councilmen in San Diego -- and four commissioners in Clark County, Nevada.
Galardi also paid half-a-million dollars in fines, forfeited almost four million dollars, and was stripped of his strip club empire.
In court Monday, Galardi apologized for the corruption schemes.
Galardi is expected to get an even lighter sentence in San Diego next week.
A San Diego federal jury in July 2005 convicted councilmen Ralph Inzunza, Charles Lewis and Michael Zucchet. Lewis died before trial. Zucchet's conviction was later overturned by the federal judge who heard that case. Inzunza was sentenced to 21 months in prison.
