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The former councilman will also repay the $106,000 he admitted to stealing from funds meant for low-income housing and arts programs in his district. He had signed off on fraudulent invoices and diverted the funds.

He will be on two years' supervisory release following his sentence.

Martinez, who was first elected in 2001 to represent parts of Washington Heights, Inwood and Marble Hill, resigned in July and pleaded guilty to mail fraud and money laundering.

When he spoke in court, Martinez said, "I stand here before you remorseful and shamed for the offenses I committed." He also apologized to his family, three children, constituents and the City Council, and said if he could go back in time he would do things differently.

Martinez is expected to enter prison on January 4.

Neither the former politician nor his attorneys spoke to reporters outside the courtroom, but supporters said they were saddened but thought the sentence was just.

"Miguel Martinez was always a great friend, and to me it was sad to see this happen," said Bronx Assemblyman Nelson Castro. "But it sends a clear message to us, the politicians, to have responsibility to the public and not to do the wrong things."

"People are hurt, but at the same time there are people who are also saddened by his actions, because they didn't believe that he could do such a thing," said Ariel Ferreira, Martinez's former aide.

Ydanis Rodriguez, the former councilman's chief rival, was elected to Martinez's seat last month.