SAN DIEGO -- A former San Diego City councilman involved in the notorious "Stripper-gate" case will be heading to prison.

On Monday, a U.S. Supreme Court judge denied Ralph Inzunza's request for a new hearing.

Inzunza was convicted in 2005 of taking bribes from the former owner of a Cheetah's strip club in Kearny Mesa.

He has been keeping a low profile since his notorious corruption scandal came to light nearly seven years ago. 10News tried to speak with him at a home on Monday, but no one came to the door.

The former councilman was convicted of extortion, wire fraud and conspiring with a strip club owner to relax the "no-touch" laws in exchange for campaign contributions. Relaxing the law would have meant more money for the strip club. Former councilman Michael Zucchet was also convicted but later acquitted on all but two charges.

One local analyst thought this case had long been closed.

"I was surprised," said Dr. Carl Luna, a professor of political science. "I thought Inzunza had gone to prison... Ralph is the Blagojevich of San Diego. He thought he was playing the political game but he crossed the line."

Luna said the wheels of justice have turned very slowly in this case. He said he met Inzunza in 2001 when he was elected to San Diego City Council.

"He seemed like a nice guy… trying to follow his family footsteps and make his political fortune," said Luna. "His problem was he fell in with a fast crowd. He thought, 'That's how you get ahead in politics. You help the special interests.' You just don't take money on a wire tap, though.'"

The law now requires that Inzunza surrender and begin serving his 21-month sentence.