A Paris court has convicted French former President Nicolas Sarkozy of corruption and sentenced him to 1 year in prison

PARIS (AP) — A Paris court has found French former President Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of corruption and influence peddling and sentenced him to a year in prison. He can ask to serve that time at home and also plans to appeal. The 66-year-old was convicted Monday of trying to bribe a magistrate in exchange for information about a legal case in which he was implicated. He will remain free while he appeals, but it was a blow to the retired politician who still plays an influential role in French conservative politics. The ruling marks the first time in France’s modern history that a former president has been convicted of corruption — and given a prison term. Sarkozy has denied wrongdoing. He was president from 2007 to 2012.