own crimes in the watergate scandal and he was sentenced for conspiracy and obstruction of justice and perjury and lying to investigators, his only comment to the press upon getting his federal prison sentence handed down was that at least he wouldn't have to spend any more time with his darn wife. sure, i'm going to prison but could be worse. you know, every generation thinks it invents the newest and worst kinds of scum bags in public life. history gave us good ones, too. do not give history short shift on historic days like this. today for the very first time it was the sitting president of the united states whose campaign chair was sentenced to federal prison. john mitchell didn't get his sentence until nixon was out of office and was a former president. john mitchell was sentenced to two and a half years in prison in 1975.