TRENTON — Former Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo was sentenced to more than three years in jail Wednesday following his conviction on federal corruption charges last year.

At a two-hour hearing Wednesday, Judge Anne Thompson weighed a number of factors, including Bencivengo’s lack of a criminal history, severe depression, the five counts against him and recommendations from the prosecution before coming down with the 38-month sentence. He will have to report to federal prison in 45 days.

“It seems like he was a neophyte, kind of an amateur who became the mayor without the foundation of integrity, character and strong principles that he needed to hold that high office,” she said. “He has thrown away so much for $12,400.”

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