COLUMBUS (AP) – A judge has granted early release from prison to an Ohio lawmaker who was convicted of accepting trips, gifts and campaign cash in exchange for promising to introduce legislation. Forty-four-year-old W. Carlton Weddington appeared in handcuffs and prison attire in Franklin County Common Pleas Court Thursday. Weddington told Judge Mark Serrott he was sorry for his mistakes and hoped to turn his experience into an opportunity to improve Ohio’s prison system. Serrott released Weddington conditionally, requiring that he complete community service, stay out of bars and lecture to business groups about temptations of lobbyists in the lawmaking process. The Columbus Democrat began a 3-year prison sentence in August 2012 after pleading guilty to bribery, election falsification and filing a false financial disclosure statement. Weddington was expected to be released Thursday.
