Former Compton mayor Omar Bradley was sentenced to three years probation Wednesday for misusing several thousand dollars of public money.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge George Lomelli said Bradley would not have to serve a three year prison term so long as he successfully completes probation.
"Just my humble opinion, the justice system has gotten way off track," said a defiant Bradley outside court.
He said he believed political forces were behind the L.A. County District Attorney's Office 18 year pursuit of the case - that ultimately barred him from seeking public office.
"I wonder how much the District Attorney spent to come up with an outcome that says I'm prohibited from running for office," he told reporters.
The allegations date back to the late 1990s, when prosecutors say Bradley used a city-issued credit card to make improper charges.
His first convictions in the case were overturned in 2012 after the California Supreme Court set a new standard for proof that must be shown in order to convict most elected officials.