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Hornsby apologized in court to his family for his actions. A dejected Hornsby looked ready to accept his punishment as he walked out of court after the lengthy corruption trial. "it's something I have to accept...something I have to live with," he said.
Hornsby, 55, was convicted July 23 of wire fraud, witness and evidence tampering, and obstruction of justice.
The judge also sentenced Hornsby to three years of probation, a $20,000 fine and ordered him to pay $70,000 in restitution.
Prosecutors claimed Hornsby steered lucrative contracts to benefit the woman with whom he was living at the time, a saleswoman for LeapFrog, an educational computing company. They split a $20,000 commission on the sale, prosecutors said.
Hornsby initially faced 22 charges, yet a Federal jury acquitted him of two and deadlocked on 14 in an earlier trial. The prosecution believes the evidence against him was too strong for him to walk away a free man.
The determinging Hornsby's sentence, the judge said he took into account Hornsby's 30-year career in education, including improvements in Prince George's County public schools. But the judge also said Hornsby had betrayed the public trust.
U.S. district judge Peter Messite also recommended that Hornsby receive treatment for Alcoholism. After the sentencing, Hornsby admitted to having a problem."You saw the video tape...I was having some issues and it's something that doesn't continue to be a part of my life,"Hornsby said.
Meanwhile, Hornsby's attorney, Robert C. Bonsib said, "it's still a harsh sentence...considering all of the factors on both sides."
Hornsby resigned in 2005.
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