NEWARK -- Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni were indicted together in the Bridgegate scandal. They went on trial together and they were convicted together last year.

But, when the pair were sentenced Wednesday, they were given different jail terms.

Baroni was sentenced to two years in prison, while Kelly got a lighter sentence-- 18 months. Why?

Before handing down the sentences, U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton said she believed Baroni deserved more blame than Kelly for the 2013 lane closures at the George Washington Bridge.

"It could be argued that Mr. Baroni was more culpable. I think there is a distinction in the roles you played," Wigenton told Kelly at her sentencing hearing.

Baroni, the former deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Kelly, a former deputy chief of staff of Gov. Chris Christie, were both accused of conspiring to close the local access lanes to the bridge for several days as political revenge for the Fort Lee mayor refusing to endorse the governor for re-election.

During the seven-week trial, former Port Authority official and Christie ally David Wildstein testified he was the architect of the lane closure scheme and Baroni and Kelly helped carry out the plan.

The evidence included a series of emails and texts, including Kelly's infamous "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee" email, that appeared to show the pair conspiring with Wildstein to punish Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich for not endorsing Christie.

But, the judge singled out Baroni during his sentencing for publicly testifying during a legislative committee hearing that the lane closures were part of a legitimate Port Authority traffic study.

"It was completely intended to wreak havoc," Wigenton told Baroni before handing down his sentence. "It only served a punitive purpose. You clearly knew, and know today, that it was not" legitimate.

Prosecutors also asked the judge during the sentencing hearing to impose a lighter sentence on Kelly, saying the single mother of four did not deserve as harsh a punishment as Baroni.

While federal sentencing guidelines called for Kelly and Baroni to get 37 and 46 months in federal prison for their crimes, federal prosecutors recommended Baroni get 24 to 30 months.

They asked that Kelly get "modestly below" Baroni's sentence, but did not specify a number.

Both Kelly, 44, and Baroni, 45, were also sentenced to 500 hours of community service and one year of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney William Fitzpatrick said prosecutors were happy with the judge's sentences.

"The defendants' unlawful use of their government positions and government resources to settle a petty political score was a flagrant breach of their duty to the public and reflected a callous disregard for the welfare of the people of New Jersey. These sentences are fair and appropriate," Fitzpatrick said.

Baroni and Kelly remain free on bail while they appeal their convictions. As she left court, Kelly maintained she was innocent and did not deserve to go to prison.

"I want to ensure my kids and everyone else that this fight is far from over," Kelly said.

Staff writers Ted Sherman and Matt Arco contributed to this report.

Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at KellyHeyboerReporter on Facebook.