Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has been sentenced to at least three years in prison on charges of conspiracy and money laundering, a Texas judge ruled Monday.

DeLay, once one of the most powerful Republicans in Congress, was convicted in November for illegally funneling $190,000 in corporate money through the Republican National Committee to help elect Republicans to the Texas Legislature during the 2002 elections.

Texas judge Pat Priest sentenced DeLay to three years on a conspiracy charge and also sentenced him to five years in prison for money laundering. Priest, however, allowed DeLay to accept 10 years probation on the money laundering charge, assuming he meets certain conditions set by the court.

DeLay could have received up to life in prison on the money laundering and conspiracy charges.

The former Houston-area congressman, known as “The Hammer,” was unrepentant today in court. “I fought the fight. I ran the race. I kept the faith,” he said, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Former House speaker Dennis Hastert, DeLay’s former boss, attested to the character of his top lieutenant. DeLay left Congress in 2006 and served in the House’s No. 2 job from 2003 to 2005.

DeLay, known as “The Hammer,” was found guilty in November for illegally funneling $190,000 in corporate money through the Republican National Committee to help elect Republicans to the Texas Legislature during the 2002 elections.

DeLay, 63, maintained his innocence even after he was convicted last year, arguing a “miscarriage of justice” and denouncing what he called “the criminalization of politics.”

(Source: USA Today)