WASHINGTON —  Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff says his lifestyle of trading favors for expensive gifts crossed the line, even by Washington standards, but he says he's not a bad man.

Abramoff, the central figure in a corruption scandal that shook up Washington politics, is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday. In a letter to the judge Wednesday, he apologized for his crimes and said he's amazed he strayed so far.

Abramoff is asking for a lenient prison sentence that could result in him being released by 2009. He has spent countless hours working with the FBI, providing information about the lawmakers and Capitol Hill aides he corrupted with skybox tickets, lavish meals and golf junkets.