Tony Rezko, a one-time adviser to the embattled former Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich, has been sentenced to ten-and-a-half years in prison.

Rezko's trial is credited with shining a light on the pay-to-play aspect of Illinois' political culture, according to The Associated Press.

Rezko was found guilty of extorting money from firms that were looking for regulatory approval, The AP reported. He was convicted in 2008 and will get credit for prison time served while waiting for sentencing.

The U.S. District Judge who sentenced Rezko, Amy St. Eve, told Rezko he was responsible for wide spread crimes.

You defrauded the people of Illinois, you engaged in extensive corruption throughout the state of Illinois, the judge said, according to The AP.

Rezko was often used by opponents to insinuate that President Barack Obama was part of the state's corruption. Rezko raised money for Obama during his Senate campaign, but not his presidential campaign. Obama has been accused of no wrongdoing in relation to Rezko, according to The AP.

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