Thursday morning a federal judge sentenced former Willow Rep. Bev Masek to 6 months in federal prison and up to 3 years probation for selling her legislative vote.

In March Masek pled guilty, never fighting government charges she sought out Bill Allen's VECO bribes.

Trying to hold back tears the former Iditarod musher told the court, "I feel like I've been operating on a broken sled runner, and I'd like to get it fixed."

Masek blamed her troubles on alcohol abuse, abusive relationships, and a pending divorce toward the end of her decade long legislative career.

The events, she said, left her with little money. Mixed with heavy drinking and the sudden absence of a legislative role model Masek said she sought the VECO bribes.

As a sentence condition the judge recommended Masek never touch a drop of alcohol again in her lifetime.

Masek's alcohol abuse became a central theme of her sentencing.

Masek's psychiatrist said she had been clinically depressed for years, while she heavily drank, including the time she accepted bribes.

The former lawmaker wanted to serve six months probation in a rehabilitation facility, but Judge Beistline said before rehab she must pay the price for selling her vote.

After her six-month federal prison sentence, the judge is requiring her to spend up to six months in a substance abuse facility.

It is unclear right now when Masek will start to serve her sentence. She will be allowed to report on her own to a


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Lower 48 federal prison.

"I'm ready to be the Bev I once was," Masek said right before her sentencing. "But I can't do it myself."