HARRISBURG — A former Democratic employee in the Pennsylvania Legislature received a 21-month-to-5-year prison sentence Friday for his role in a conspiracy to divert state resources to wage political campaigns from a judge who scolded him for undermining the integrity of the state's electoral process.

Brett Cott's sentence exceeded even what prosecutors had asked for, and Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis ordered him jailed immediately, rejecting his lawyer's request that he be allowed to remain free on bail while he pursues an appeal.

Lewis called Cott's actions "a violation of the public's right to a fair and equitable electoral process" that was "unmistakably far over the line."

Lewis also fined Cott $11,000 and ordered him to pay $50,000 in restitution.

Cott, 38, said nothing at sentencing, and afterward his attorney, Bryan Walk, vowed to appeal.

"We're extremely disappointed," Walk said. "I think Judge Lewis had his mind made up before today. We're disappointed with that, that he didn't give us a fair consideration of our arguments."

Cott was convicted in March of felony theft, conspiracy and conflict-of-interest charges for what prosecutors described as a wide-ranging scheme to use legislative employees and public resources to run campaigns. He was acquitted of 39 counts.

Sentencing for his co-defendant and one-time boss, former Rep. Mike Veon, D-Beaver, is scheduled for next month. Veon attended the three-hour hearing but declined to comment afterward.