Baltimore ex-mayor sentenced in children's book fraud scheme

The former mayor of Baltimore was sentenced to three years in jail on Thursday for a scheme involving bogus sales of her kids' book series.

Catherine Pugh pleaded guilty in November to fraud and tax evasion charges. The 70-year-old was not immediately taken into custody, and said this outside the courthouse:

(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER BALTIMORE MAYOR CATHERINE PUGH, SAYING:

"But I think the first thing I should do is apologize to the citizens of Baltimore, who put their faith and trust in me as their mayor. And to all the people who put their faith and trust in me as a state senator and as a delegate. And I will remind you that one of the things I said in the courtroom was that none of this was intentional."

She admitted she took in roughly $650,000 meant to purchase her self-published "Healthy Holly" book for public schools. The books were never delivered.

Federal prosecutors said she used the funds to buy and renovate a second home in Baltimore.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. ATTORNEY ROBERT HUR, SAYING:

"Former Mayor Pugh was sentenced to three years in federal prison. It is correct that my office asked for a longer term of years."

U.S. Attorney Robert Hur's office had asked for a sentence of four years and nine months. But he said three years was no light punishment.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. ATTORNEY ROBERT HUR, SAYING:

"And it should serve as a strong message and, I hope, a deterrent to anyone in public life who is thinking about using their public office for personal gain, and allowing greed to overcome their sworn duty to serve the interests of the public. This is, this was not a light sentence in my view, and it should not be regarded as such."

U.S. District Judge Deborah Chasanow ordered Pugh to surrender no later than April 13.