Prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York on Friday recommended that former Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota be sentenced to eight years in prison—above the recommended range for his crimes—“in light of the egregiousness of [his] conduct and the need for deterrence.”

Spota, whose 80th birthday is in September, and his former anti-corruption unit chief Christopher McPartland were found guilty in December 2019 of obstruction of justice, witness tampering and other offenses. Their sentencing, which has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is scheduled for June.