An era in Cambridge politics marked by the controversial and, for some, infuriating antics of Councillor William H. Walsh, ended this week.

Nearly eight months after his March conviction on 41 counts of bank fraud, conspiracy and making false statements, Walsh was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in prison and two years' probation.

But while Walsh was finally ousted from his council seat, Walsh's saga appears to be far from over.

U.S. District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf blasted Walsh's conduct at the Tuesday sentencing. "You lied, you caused others to lie and you deliberately lied under oath," he told Walsh.

But Wolf also sharply criticized the "egregious behavior" of Dime Savings Bank of New York, which Walsh was convicted of defrauding in the sum of $2.9 million.

And the judge granted Walsh a stay of his sentencing pending the councillor's appeal.

Citing numerous letters from Walsh supporters, Wolf said, "I have probably never sentenced someone who has done so much for other people."

Walsh's appeal may last well over a year.

Colorful Councillor

The colorful councillor, who had repeatedly resisted demands for his resignation, fought to the bitter end. While the Massachusetts General Laws state that a public official must vacate office upon sentencing, the five-term councillor insisted that he was entitled to serve until his prison term started.

"I'm going to fight to overturn this no matter what," Walsh promised at the sentencing. "I'm the toughest fighter you've ever met."

In the end, only a temporary restraining order from the state's highest court finally managed to keep Walsh from his council seat.

Chapter 279, section 30 of the Massachusetts General Laws requires that a public official leave office upon sentencing to a federal penitentiary.

After Walsh's refusal to resign, Attorney General L. Scott Harshbarger '64 filed Wednesday for an injunction to keep Walsh from participating on the nine-member council.

But Walsh's attorney, James L. Sultan, argued that since the councillor was not ordered to a specific prison, the law could not apply.