Scott V. Brubaker, a former chairman of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee and one-time rising political star, was sentenced Tuesday to 6 to 18 months in a work-release program for his role in the state's largest public-corruption scandal in three decades.

Brubaker, a former high-level employee of the House Democrats who cooperated with prosecutors, was instrumental in implementing a scheme to pay bonuses to staffers as illegal rewards for political campaign work, Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis said during the sentencing.

Brubaker's wife and co-defendant, Jennifer Brubaker, was sentenced to five years probation because of her limited role in the "bonusgate" scandal, her cooperation in the case and the needs of the couple's 8-year-old daughter.

Scott Brubaker, the former director of staffing and administration for the caucus, and Jennifer Brubaker, its former legislative research director, separately addressed the judge in trembling voices during an emotional, hourlong hearing.

"I blew it. I blew it big time," said Scott Brubaker, described by his lawyer as an Eagle Scout who was senior class president in high school. "I wish I could turn back the clock, but I can't. I want to fix it, but I can't."

Jennifer Brubaker sobbed as she apologized for behavior that was "completely out of character for me."

"I'm here because I put my career and my desire to succeed ahead of the well-being of my family," she said.

Scott Brubaker was sentenced to Dauphin County Prison, but Chief Deputy Attorney General Frank Fina said he would be allowed to leave so he can work at an approved job. He will be required to return to the prison at night. He was ordered to serve 36 months of probation, which his lawyer, Robert Ridge, said would begin following his release from prison.

Each of the Brubakers also was ordered to pay $15,000 restitution to the state and to perform 500 hours of community service. Scott Brubaker, who has forfeited his state pension, was fined $6,000, and his wife was fined $400.

The judge called Scott Brubaker "an implementer" of the illegal bonus scheme and said that he did not try to stop the activity or escape it by looking for another job. Still, Lewis said, he received dozens of letters from supporters who portrayed him as an "exemplary citizen." Lewis also said he received a letter from Brubaker that the judge called "one of the most candid and genuine" admissions of guilt he has read.

The Brubakers are among seven former House Democratic caucus employees who pleaded guilty to reduced charges in exchange for agreeing to testify against other defendants. Scott Brubaker pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and one count each of conflict of interest and conspiracy. His wife pleaded guilty to three counts of conflict of interest and one count of conspiracy.

In all, 25 current and former legislators and aides have been arrested so far in the continuing investigation into the allegations of the illegal use of taxpayer-paid resources for electioneering. In addition to those who pleaded guilty, three defendants have been convicted, two were acquitted and the 13 others are awaiting trial.

Prosecutors praised the Brubakers' cooperation in the ongoing investigation and said they are likely to be called to testify in pending trials of other defendants.

At last year's trial of former House Democratic whip Mike Veon and three former aides, Scott Brubaker testified that he participated in efforts to mislead then-Attorney General Tom Corbett — now governor — in early 2007 as part of what prosecutors said was an attempt by all four caucuses to forestall an investigation after news broke that millions of dollars in bonuses were being paid to legislative employees.

Veon was convicted and sent to prison for 6 to 14 years. Two of the former aides also were sentenced to time behind bars, while the other defendant was acquitted on all counts.

Jennifer Brubaker did not testify at the Veon trial, but Fina called her "a very important cooperator" who provided prosecutors a gateway to valuable evidence.

The Brubakers no longer live in Lancaster County but have deep local ties.

Scott Brubaker is a former Marine whose first political appointment was to Denver Borough Council at age 27 — an unusual position for a Democrat in one of the most conservative parts of the county.

He grew up on Horseshoe Trail Road in West Cocalico Township and graduated from Cocalico High School in 1983. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1987 and a master's degree in public policy analysis in 1991 from Penn State University.

He was elected president of Denver Council in 1993 and two years later decided to take his political career a step further by running for county commissioner. At age 30, he was the youngest of seven Democrats seeking the party's nomination. He finished fifth, however, and quit his borough council post later in the year, saying he was "tired of politics," according to newspaper records.

His fatigue didn't last long.

County Democrats elected him chairman of their party in 1998, and he served the next four years in the post.

During his term, Brubaker was responsible for bringing to light the county Republican Party's illegal voter-registration drive, in which a handful of workers were paid a commission for every new voter they signed up.

Jennifer Brubaker was the party secretary here and was working her way up in the House Democratic Caucus. She is a 1990 Warwick High School graduate who went on to earn a political science degree from Millersville University.

In 2002, the website PoliticsPA.com named her one of the "rising stars" in state government.