Former city of Chicago official sentenced

A one-time deputy chief of staff to former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley has been sentenced to five years' probation for a scheme in which he cashed checks made out to a charity, then pocketed part of the money.

At Thursday's sentencing in Chicago, a federal judge cited Gene Lee's decades helping his community in choosing not to give the 65-year-old prison time. U.S. District Judge John also ordered that Lee repay the stolen money and do 240 hours of community service.

In a statement in court earlier, Lee apologized, saying he felt "guilt and shame" for what he had done. Earlier this year, Lee pleaded guilty to embezzlement and tax fraud, and he faced up to 10 years in prison on the embezzlement count alone.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports dozens of Lee supporters in the courtroom cheered and applauded when Judge Darrah announced the lenient sentence. Darrah rebuked them for the outburst.

Lee admitted he cashed more than 160 charity checks and took some of the money. Prosecutors said that in 2008 alone, Lee stole more than $26,000 of $38,000 donated to his charity, Chicago Dragons.