PORTLAND (AP) — The former executive director of a Maine nonprofit that serves the poor has been sentenced to 2 ½ years in federal prison for stealing $900,000 from the organization.

Thomas Nelson was also ordered Tuesday to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution and back taxes.

Prosecutors said the 56-year-old Nelson embezzled the money from the Sanford-based York County Community Action Corp., which provides fuel assistance, food and other services to low-income families. Most of the agency’s budget comes from federal grants. He took the money from 2004 until 2010.

The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/12tQXXn ) reported that the judge called Nelson’s actions “shameful.”

His lawyer said he stole the money to feed a gambling addiction. Nelson apologized in court.

He pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy, embezzlement and tax evasion.