Federal officials say an ex-Sumter County commissioner has been sentenced to three years in prison for his involvement in a bribery scheme.

U.S. Department of Justice officials said Wednesday that 55-year-old Al J. Hurley was sentenced for soliciting and accepting cash payments to ensure government contracting work for a private firm.

Authorities say between September and December 2011, Hurley accepted payments of $5,000 and $15,000 from a private firm in exchange for his promise that he'd use his position to help secure $100,000 worth of government contracting work.

Tags: bribery, Sumter County commissioner, Al J. Hurley