Casey Moreland, once one of Nashville's most powerful judges, was sentenced to 44 months in prison Friday, capping what prosecutors called "one of the most shocking cases of misconduct of an elected public official" in the city's history.

Chief District Judge Waverly Crenshaw handed down the sentence in federal court, blasting Moreland's "persistent pattern of conduct that showed a profound disrespect for the law" and reflected a "reckless and self-centered mentality."

"For a judge, it's disgraceful," Crenshaw said.

Moreland, 60, resigned from the General Sessions bench in 2017, after federal authorities arrested him on an array of corruption charges.

Investigators had launched a probe to determine if he had traded preferential treatment for sexual favors. Moreland took steps to thwart that investigation by attempting to bribe and frame a former lover, prosecutors said.

The former judge struck a deal with prosecutors earlier this year after federal authorities arrested him again on charges that he had continued attempts to hamper the investigation while he was awaiting trial.

As part of the deal, he pleaded guilty to funneling thousands of dollars away from a nonprofit he started to help recovering drug addicts working their way through the General Sessions drug court. Moreland also pleaded guilty to attempting to bribe and intimidate a witness and to conspiring to hamstring federal investigations into his behavior.

Moreland, who appeared in court wearing a green prison jumpsuit, said he accepted the consequences of his actions.

"I want the people of Davidson County to know my regret," he said, reading from a prepared statement while standing before the judge. "They expect and deserve better."

Moreland's 44-month sentence was slightly longer than the range suggested by federal sentencing guidelines discussed in court Friday. It was short of the five-year sentence prosecutors sought.

U.S. Attorney Don Cochran, who prosecutes federal crimes in Nashville, said he was pleased with the outcome of the case.

"I don't think it gets a whole lot worse than this for judicial misconduct," he said. "It's a serious sentence."

Crenshaw also ordered Moreland to pay $18,000 in restitution to the Tennessee Recovery Foundation, a nonprofit that supports recovering addicts.

"Today is the end of a sad story," Crenshaw said from the bench.

"I do want your sentence to be an example to anyone who is inclined to do what you've done," Crenshaw added. "They do so at their own peril."

Reach Adam Tamburin at 615-726-5986 and atamburin@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter @tamburintweets.

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