Former Dallas City Council member James Fantroy was released from Fort Worth federal prison Wednesday after serving a 30-day sentence for his conviction on theft charges.

The 70-year-old chose prison time rather than accept a judge's offer of house arrest if he would apologize for stealing more than $20,000 from Paul Quinn College.

Mr. Fantroy faces six more months of home confinement. That will be followed by two years of probation. He must also pay almost $18,000 in restitution.

"I'm paying a price. I don't mind it," Mr. Fantroy said Wednesday. "I've spent my 30 days. I'm going to spend my six months. ... Whatever the judge asks me to do, I'm going to do.

"But I'm not going to plead guilty," he added.

Mr. Fantroy wrote checks to himself, his family and his campaign using an account of the Paul Quinn College community development corporation, which he served as treasurer. His attorney told jurors that Mr. Fantroy took the money because he was broke.

Mr. Fantroy, who showed up for trial in a wheelchair, has inoperable kidney cancer and must get dialysis several times a week.

WFAA-TV (Channel 8), staff reports