HARRISBURG — A former top aide in the state House of Representatives whose testimony helped send former Democratic whip Mike Veon to prison and helped convict longtime Democratic leader Bill DeWeese was sentenced Monday to 1Z\x to 4 years in prison for his role in a legislative corruption scandal.

Mike Manzo, DeWeese’s former chief of staff, also was sentenced to three years’ probation, fined $22,000 and ordered to pay $73,000 in restitution in connection with taxpayer-financed bonuses paid to Democratic staff members for campaign work illegally done on state time between 2004 and 2006.

Despite the lead state prosecutor’s praise for Manzo’s cooperation, Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis said the seriousness of the offense warranted a tough penalty.