PHOENIX -- The Valley man who confessed to running a massive prostitution ring was sentenced Wednesday to 2 1/2 years in prison, seven years probation and restitution in the amount of $276,000.

Paul Nichta is one of 54 people arrested in the Desert Divas case that implicated big names in several states. Nichta was sentenced by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Roland Steinle.

As part of his guilty plea, Nichta acknowledged that his operation was a prostitution business. He was originally scheduled to be sentenced June 25, 2009.

Phoenix police shut down the high-dollar call-girl operation in 2008 after a five-month investigation. Out of more than 50 arrests, officers detained about a dozen men and women they said were key players in the business.

Since then, police investigators and the Maricopa County Attorney's Office have indicted and arrested almost 100 suspects who are members of the organization, said Sgt. Andy Hill of the Phoenix Police Department.

All of the leaders of the organization have pleaded guilty to charges.

Among the evidence investigators confiscated were the lists of clients. Authorities also seized three residences, eight vehicles -- including a Ferrari 43C CP -- and one motorcycle.

They also found six rifles, 12 handguns and two silencers at one of the ringleaders' residence, police said.

It is believed to be the largest prostitution bust in Arizona history.

Police documents have revealed that the "johns" generally paid a $375 all-inclusive rate, and if the escorts showed up late, they had to pay a fine.

According to investigators, the criminal enterprise was making bank deposits totaling $250,000 a month.