Former state Rep. Robin Smith, center, arrives at the Fred D. Thompson Federal Courthouse in Nashville with attorney Ben Rose, left. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

This story was originally published by the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Former state Rep. Robin Smith, R-Hixson, was sentenced Friday to eight months in federal prison for her role in a corruption conspiracy described as a scheme to steal from Tennessee and its citizens through the General Assembly’s taxpayer-funded constituent mail program.

Smith, 62, “failed the trust of the public” and has “been a failure,” she said during her sentencing hearing in Nashville federal court.

“My mom and dad raised me to be much better than this,” Smith said. “I ask for the forgiveness of the public.”

Smith pleaded guilty in Mar

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