Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was found guilty of corruption Monday by a Paris court after he offered to pull strings to help a magistrate land a prestigious job in return for a favor.

The 66-year-old was also sentenced to a one-year prison term, though under the French system he’s unlikely to serve it, even if he fails to overturn the verdict on appeal.

"Sarkozy used his status as former French president,” said Presiding Judge Christine Mée as she read out the court’s decision. She said the wrongdoing he committed was "particularly serious.”