HONOLULU -- A judge on Wednesday sentenced a former city motor vehicle registrations clerk to one year in prison for taking bribes in the downtown satellite city hall.

Brian Hamasaki pleaded guilty to theft and bribery counts. The charges stemmed from a scheme at the Fort Street Mall Satellite City Hall, where he accepted bribes from truck companies and individuals so they avoided paying motor vehicle registration fees.

"The defendant in this case breached the trust that he had placed in him by the city, and he, in effect, lined his own pockets using his city position," Deputy Prosecutor Chris Van Marter said.

Prosecutors wanted Hamasaki to spend 15 years in prison for pocketing more than $35,000 in bribes.

Hamasaki and his family pleaded for mercy.

His wife told the judge that it would be especially hard on their children, who said goodbye to him on Wednesday morning.

"It was very difficult, because -- they knew that he may not be coming home this afternoon," Hamasaki’s wife, Diane, said.

Hamasaki himself expressed shame and remorse.

"I'd like to say sorry to the city and the public for what I did. I'd like to apologize to my family for making shame on the Hamasaki name," Hamasaki said.

Judge Richard Perkins told Hamasaki that prison time was warranted, but gave him just one year in jail, along with five years probation.

Hamasaki was also ordered to pay back the money.

"A public official accepted bribes for over 12 years -- hundreds of bribes -- deprived the city of thousands of dollars. In our view, the court's sentence was merely a slap on the wrist," Van Marter said.

The judge also said Hamasaki could go home. He remains a free man until Friday.