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Gonzalez, who represented parts of the West Bronx pleaded guilty to the charges last year, but now says he will appeal.

"I want a trial so that the truth comes out," Gonzalez said. "In the motion it says that I asked for a trial because I made a mistake with the old lawyer, they gave me a new lawyer and the courts did not allow the new lawyers and me to fight in this case and bring the truth out."

The U.S. Attorneys Office says Gonzalez fraudulently used two not-for-profit organizations -- West Bronx Neighborhood Association and
United Latin American Foundation -- to pay his personal expenses to the tune of nearly $600,000.

Federal officials say he paid for places to live in New York and the Dominican Republic. He also allegedly paid for Yankees tickets, had steak dinners and put some of the money into his cigar company in the Dominican Republic.

"Because he comes from the Bronx, they give him seven years because they want to make an example of him. It's not right. Is it justice? I don't think so," said Bishop Fernando Rodriguez of the Latin American Chaplains Association.

"Senator Gonzalez had a legacy of helping Hispanic businesses and minority businesses in the Bronx. He is the only one that really supported us. I understand they gave him seven years, but to me it was a tragedy to the Latino community what they did to him," said Frank Garcia of the State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Gonzalez served in the State Senate from 1989 to 2009. Prosecutors say during that time Gonzalez funneled $200,000 to the now defunct Pathways for Youth, which donated the money back to Gonzalez' charities.

"He was my chief of staff and took over the seat. And I told him from the beginning you have to work on behalf of the people. You can't go and wheel and deal. He didn't take the advice, and unfortunately after 19 years he ends up like this, and it's a tragedy," said former State Senator Israel Ruiz.

Although Gonzalez does speak English, he said he would only answer questions in Spanish Tuesday. His supporters say he is very upset with the way English language media organizations have covered his case.

Gonzalez is scheduled to surrender to a federal facility by June 30.