SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) – The patriarch of a corrupt family that siphoned about $3 million from a taxpayer-funded agency was sentenced to 10 years in prison Wednesday, closing a chapter in a long public corruption probe in the state’s third-largest city.

Raymond Asselin Sr., 69, who lorded over the Springfield Housing Authority for three decades, pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy and tax evasion charges. His wife, Janet Asselin, 70, who also admitted her role in the fraud, was sentenced to nine months of home confinement and a year of probation.

The couple also were ordered to pay a total of $162,000 in fines and restitution.

Four of their sons, including ex-state Rep. Christopher Asselin, also have pleaded guilty to their roles in bleeding money from the agency. All but one of the brothers were given prison sentences ranging from 12 to 18 months.

“I hope with my sentencing there is some closure to the Asselin saga,” Janet Asselin said before U.S. District Judge Michael Ponsor sentenced her.

In all, the four-year-old housing authority investigation netted a dozen convictions for federal prosecutors. Nine of the defendants were members of the Asselin family, making for an unusual criminal dynasty.

“To have a whole family involved is extremely rare,” FBI Supervisory Agent Michael O’Reilly said. “I haven’t seen anything like this in my 20 years of experience.”

The housing authority probe sprang from a series of other public corruption cases in Springfield, and federal authorities suggested their work isn’t done.

“It would be a mistake to believe the public corruption program is over in Springfield,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin O’Regan said.

But the housing authority case has been the most deeply routed example of a culture of corruption that federal agents say has plagued Springfield for years.

During his last decade as the agency’s executive director, Raymond Asselin Sr. and his right-hand-man, Arthur Sotirion, routinely took bribes, rigged bids and stole supplies to make home improvements for themselves and Asselin family members. Sotirion drew a nine-year prison sentence in early February.

Prosecutors say the Asselins were so brazen that during Sunday evening dinners at Raymond and Janet Asselin’s home, family members wrote out home-improvement requests and dropped them in a basket. On Monday, the senior Asselin took the requests to work and sent housing authority employees to fill the orders. He also stole some agency money to pay for Christopher Asselin’s political campaigns.

“It was inappropriate and it was wrong,” Raymond Asselin said before he was sentenced. “I ask you to accept my sincerest apologies.” He cried through his brief statement, and dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief while his wife was being sentenced.

Janet Asselin sat stone-faced through the hearings, but told Ponsor she was sorry for the way her family has disintegrated.

“I hope and pray that our family dining room is once again filled with my family,” she said.

AP-ES-02-28-07 1808EST