Prison for pol plunder

A DISGRACED city councilman was brought to tears Thursday when he was hit with up to six years in prison for stealing more than $30,000 from his own community.

Ruben Wills, who turned 48 Wednesday, was sentenced to two to six years behind bars. He also was ordered to pay $32,874 in restitution, plus $5,000 in fines. The Queens Democrat was convicted after redirecting $11,500 in public matching funds from his 2009 City Council campaign to his nonprofit, NY 4 Life, and using the money for personal purchases, including at Macy’s. He also misused a $33,000 grant from the state Office of Children and Family Services, the government says. The grant was meant for public service projects, but $21,000 of it went to Wills’ expenses, including at Nordstrom and Home Depot.

In Queens court, Wills wiped away tears and pleaded with the judge not to send him to prison — but balked at the idea that the way he managed NY 4 Life funds was a crime. “If I say I maintain my innocence or disagree with the verdict, will that give me more time? I don't know,” he said.