Hubbard sentenced to four years in prison

OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) -- Former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard has been sentenced to four years in prison for violating the state's ethics law.

Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker handed down the sentence Friday. Hubbard faces additional time on probation.

Hubbard was convicted in June of a range of ethics violations, including improperly soliciting lobbyists and company executives for consulting contracts and investment and using his office to benefit his clients.

Prosecutors argued Hubbard betrayed the trust of voters and his fellow lawmakers and asked for a five-year prison sentence.

Hubbard was one of the state's most powerful politicians. He led the 2010 GOP takeover of the Alabama Legislature.

Hubbard maintained his innocence during the trial and testified that he never used the power of his office for personal benefit.

This story was originally published July 8, 2016 at 2:20 PM with the headline "Hubbard sentenced to four years in prison."