HAYNEVILLE (AP) — Former White Hall Mayor John Jackson received a one-year suspended jail sentence for using his office for personal gain.

Jackson, who helped incorporate White Hall 30 years ago and was elected mayor in every election since that time, was charged with stealing more than $46,000 from the city treasury in connection with the sale of property used to build an electronic bingo hall.

The Montgomery Advertiser reports Jackson’s lawyer, Hank Sanders, said on Wednesday the money had been Jackson’s, but he repaid himself in the wrong way.

Jackson was required to reimburse the city for the $46,000. Sanders told Lowndes County Circuit Judge Edward McFerrin that Jackson did that weeks ago and resigned as mayor within 48 hours of his guilty plea.