Prosecutors say a former Department of Motor Vehicles employee stole tens of thousands of dollars from the city through a bribery scheme.

Today - Brian Hamasaki was sentenced to prison.

The state was asking for 15 years, but Hamasaki got much less than that.

Brian Hamasaki sat silent for most of the sentencing.

But when his wife addressed the court he could not hide his emotions.

His wife, Diane Hamasaki says, "This morning before my children went to school it was very difficult because they knew that he may not be coming home this afternoon."

Before the sentencing Hamasaki's attorney told the judge his client has already been through a lot.

William Jameson, Hamasaki's attorney says, "He has been forever been exposed to the world as something that we shun. that is a horrible experience to undergo."

hamasaki himself stood before the court an offered apologies.

"i'd like to say sorry to the city, to the public for what i did. i'd like to apologize to my family for making shame on the hamasaki name.
But especially to my kids when I seen them this morning, not knowing whether I would come home or not, telling them goodbye."

Prosecutors say for years Hamasaki took bribes to fix vehicle registrations, bilking the city out of tens of thousands of dollars.

Deputy Prosecutor, Chris van Marter says, "The court has a strong opportunity to send a message that public servants are supposed to serve the public interest, not their own self interest. and a term of imprisonment will do that."

Circuit court judge richard perkins handed down a one year jail term, five years probation.

"It sends a terrible message to the community, that the courts are not treating public corruption seriously. So, in our view this sentence sent absolutely to the community."

Hamasaki gets two days to get his affairs in order...he is expected to turn himself in on Friday morning to start serving a one year sentence.

Hamasaki also has to pay more than 35-thousand dollars in restitution to the city.