PHILADELPHIA — A sentence handed down this week in the corruption case of perhaps the most powerful Pennsylvania lawmaker of the past generation amounts to 12 days per felony.

Vincent J. Fumo, who wielded vast power over three decades in the state Senate, was convicted of misusing millions from the state and two nonprofits. U.S. District Judge Ronald Buckwalter halved Fumo's guideline range from the 21- to 27-year term recommended by probation and then cut the sentence to 55 months.

"I was really surprised and baffled that it was so low," said juror Myrna DeVoren, one of the dozen people who convicted Fumo in March on all 137 counts. "I thought the guidelines were in the range of 10 to 27 years."

Federal judges can grant downward departures for various reasons, from good works to poor health. Fumo cited both, but Buckwalter seized on the former, saying he found the Philadelphia Democrat had performed extraordinary public service.

Prosecutors challenged the point, noting Fumo's three indictments over his 30-year political career. The first two cases ended with acquittals — once when a judge overturned a jury verdict in a ghost-worker case.

"The fact that he escaped conviction ... emboldened him," Assistant U.S. Attorney John Pease argued.

Patrick Meehan, who was the U.S. attorney when Fumo's prosecution began, said Wednesday that he thought the sentence was remarkably short given the crimes committed.

"I was in the courtroom. I have yet to hear him acknowledge that he stole money. He said he made mistakes," Meehan said.

Buckwalter cited hundreds of letters submitted on Fumo's behalf, from Gov. Ed Rendell to his South Philadelphia constituents. Rendell had called Fumo a "ruthless" politician but said his crimes should still be weighed against his accomplishments.