Former Gov. Bob McDonnell (R.-Va.) has been sentenced to two years in prison for taking money and gifts in exchange for promoting a dietary supplement while he was in office. Prosecutors had asked for 10 years.

McDonnell, 60, must report to prison by Feb. 9.

Former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell sentenced to two years in prison for violating federal public corruption laws. — U.S. Attorney EDVA (@EDVAnews) January 6, 2015

McDonnell was once on the short list to be Mitt Romney's vice presidential running mate in 2012.

He was sentenced on Tuesday after being convicted of 11 counts of corruption over his relationship with a businessman who gave him gifts including $150,000 in loans, a handful of golf trips and $15,000 in wedding catering for McDonnell's daughter.

Jonnie R. Williams Sr., the businessman, said he was hopeful the governor would help promote a new product (the Washington Post has a stellar diagram detailing the extent of the gifts).

Nice use of Sankey diagram from @DeniseDSLu in this graphic about the McDonnells' gifts http://t.co/GxsO0cMagB pic.twitter.com/KSeLz8hkvj — darlacameron (@darlacameron) August 7, 2014

Lawyers for the former governor asked a judge to order three years of community service. Prosecutors, who called the crimes "unprecedented in Virginia's 226 year history," recommended a sentence of at least 10 years in prison.

"After serving as a prosecutor and attorney general, this defendant corrupted an office that few bribery defendants achieve, and then falsely shifted blame for his actions before the jury convicted him," U.S. Attorney Dana Boente wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

In issuing his ruling, which reportedly caused those in the room to gasp, U.S. District Judge James Spencer called such a sentence "unfair" and "ridiculous, under these facts.”

"No one wants to see a former governor of this great commonwealth in this kind of trouble," he added.

Judge Spencer before sentencing: "The facts of this case cannot be ignored.... A price must be made.... It breaks my heart." @nbcwashington — David Culver (@David_Culver) January 6, 2015

Speaking before his sentencing, the former governor asked for leniency.

“I stand before you a heartbroken and humbled man," McDonnell told the judge, adding that he held himself accountable for "all the words, all the actions I took as governor of Virginia."

“I’m now 60 years old. All of the additional days that the Lord allows me," he told the judge, would be dedicated "to the service of others."

“I ask that whatever mercy you might have, you grant it first to my wife Maureen," he pleaded.

The former governor and his wife were found guilty in September. She was convicted of eight counts and will be sentenced in February. The six-week jury trial exposed details of the former first couple's strained marriage and shaky finances.

Additional reporting by The Associated Press.