MIAMI – Assuring the judge he is working to become “a new man,” disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff was sentenced Wednesday to nearly six years in prison for committing fraud in the purchase of a fleet of gambling boats.

He will remain free while helping prosecutors with a vast bribery investigation involving members of Congress.

Abramoff, 47, and former business partner Adam Kidan, 41, received the minimum under federal guidelines: five years and 10 months.

The two pleaded guilty earlier to conspiracy and fraud for concocting a fake $23 million wire transfer to make it appear they were contributing their own money toward the purchase of the $147.5 million SunCruz Casinos gambling fleet. Based on that fraudulent transfer, lenders provided the pair with $60 million in financing.

Abramoff told U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck he had started “the process of becoming a new man.”

“I am much chastened and profoundly remorseful,” Abramoff said. “I can only hope that the almighty and those whom I have wronged will forgive me my trespasses.”

He and Kidan were also ordered to pay restitution of more than $21 million. Both must serve three years’ probation after they get out of prison.

Abramoff pleaded guilty in the SunCruz fraud in January.