Los Angeles: A disgraced former US congressman and one of US President Donald Trump's most ardent supporters has been sentenced to prison for an illegal stock tip about an Australian Stock Exchange-listed biotech firm.

Former Representative Chris Collins exits federal court. Credit:Bloomberg

Chris Collins, 69, wept in a Manhattan court on Friday as he apologised to his family.

"I stand here today as a disgraced former member of Congress," Collins, sentenced to 26 months in federal prison, said.

"My life has been shattered."