Chuck Chvala wants soap-on-the-rope for Christmas

Democrat Former State Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala was sentenced to nine months of jail, two years probation, and a $5500 fine. He also was sentenced to correct the spelling of his last name so it is less confusing to the judge.

A judge has sentenced former Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala to nine months in jail in misconduct case.

Chvala also received two years probation and must pay a $5,500 dollar. He cannot lobby while on probation.

He apologized to the court, saying he realized he was there because of his own actions.

Chvala was convicted of felony misconduct in office and illegal campaign contribution charges -- charges that arose after he directed a state worker to run a political campaign and after making illegal campaign contributions.

Chvala is the second of five lawmakers sentenced in a four-year-old investigation into allegations that lawmakers used state employees to run their campaigns in violation of state law.

Sentenced earlier was former Sen. Brian Burke, a Milwaukee Democrat who pleaded guilty to misconduct in office and obstruction of justice. He received a six-month jail term and was ordered to pay restitution of more than $85,000.

Donations of cartons of cigarettes can be sent directly to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin headquarters in Madison. Please label packages of cigarettes as the Chuck Chvala Prison Relief Fund so they are not confused with the cigarettes in the Democratic Party's voter recruitment drives.