PHOENIX (AP) — A former Fiesta Bowl chief executive has been sentenced to 8 months in federal prison after acknowledging that he participated in an illegal campaign contribution scheme.

John Junker was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty two years ago to a conspiracy charge in the scheme in which bowl employees made illegal campaign contributions to politicians and were reimbursed by the nonprofit bowl.

The charge carried a maximum possible penalty of five years behind bars.

The scandal jeopardized the bowl's NCAA license and its status as one of four bowls in the national college football championship rotation.

It also exposed the lavish spending and perks that the Fiesta Bowl heaped on lawmakers and employees — though no charges were filed involving those perks.

Among other things, Junker received cars, country club memberships and $1,200 for a trip to a strip club.