Former UN official found guilty of accepting bribes is sentenced

NEW YORK - A former United Nations procurement official convictedof accepting bribes was sentenced to eight years and a month inprison.

Sanjaya Bahel, 57, was sentenced Tuesday after a jury found hehad helped a friend win $100 million in U.N. contracts in exchangefor a huge discount on two luxury Manhattan apartments and cash.

U.S. District Court Judge Thomas P. Griesa also ordered Bahel toforfeit $103,500 and his interest in the apartments, near the UnitedNations headquarters. Bahel was chief of the U.N.'s CommodityProcurement Section from 1999 to 2003.

Before he was sentenced, Bahel apologized. "All that I have hasbeen lost as I stand before you," Bahel told the judge as herequested mercy. "I have let down a great many people."

Bahel was convicted of bribery, wire fraud and mail fraud lastJune.