MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Former state Sen. John Ford, once among Tennessee's most powerful lawmakers, was sentenced Tuesday to 5 1/2 years in prison for bribery.

Ford, 65, was one of five former lawmakers convicted of bribery or extortion in a statewide corruption investigation code named "Tennessee Waltz."

He was convicted in April of taking $55,000 in bribes from FBI agents posing as dishonest businessmen representing a company called E-Cycle Management.

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