The former politician was sentenced to 2 1/2 years behind bars after pleading guilty to bribing election workers to stuff ballot boxes in local elections.

The last time former U.S. Rep. Michael “Ozzie” Myers stood before a federal judge to face sentencing in a bribery case, Ronald Reagan was president and Abscam — the 1970s scandal that sent Myers and a host of other elected officials to prison — dominated newspaper headlines.

The South Philadelphia politician emerged from the New York courtroom brimming with confidence that his conviction would be overturned on appeal.

But as the now 79-year-old found himself facing a similar predicament Tuesday — this time awaiting punishment for a separate bribery scheme involving ballot-stuffing in local elections — he didn’t emerge from the courthouse at all.

Saying he had little confidence Myers had learned anything in the four decades between his convictions, U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond sentenced the former congressman to 2½ years in prison and ordered him hauled off to prison immediately — a decision that hit the courtroom like a bomb.

Gasps erupted from the gallery filled with Myers’ family and friends. Some began sobbing, while others muttered quiet curses at the judge under their breath.

» READ MORE: A former Pa. congressman caught in 1970s Abscam sting pleads guilty to election fraud charges

Myers’ son attempted to leap across the courtroom pews, shouting “I’m just trying to say goodbye,” as U.S. Marshals surrounded his father and prepared to escort him away.

Calm amid the chaos, Myers stood silently — his shoulders slumped, his face obscured by a face mask — as he hobbled from the room, handcuffed and with guards on each arm.