In a lengthy, eloquent speech, the man convicted of tax evasion related to his Strip District strip club asked a judge yesterday for leniency.

Curt D. Kosow, 50, told U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab that the last several months in jail have allowed him to renew his relationship with his 14-year-old daughter, restore his faith in God and re-evaluate his life.

"I know I have been, in the past, my own worst enemy," he said. "My heart and soul begs the court for mercy."

In the end, Judge Schwab ordered Mr. Kosow to spend 41 months in prison -- the low end of the advisory guideline range.

The judge did increase the sentence on an argument by the government that Mr. Kosow obstructed justice by creating false records and instructing his employees to destroy documents.

Judge Schwab also refused to decrease Mr. Kosow's sentence on a claim of diminished capacity.

A psychologist testified yesterday that Mr. Kosow has bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcissistic, paranoid and anti-social personality traits.

In his speech to the judge, Mr. Kosow described his mind as going 100 mph during the trial, at which he represented himself.

"I was lost in my own world," he said. "I was out of control."

Following the lengthy trial last fall, Mr. Kosow was convicted by a jury of eight tax-related counts. He was acquitted on the most serious charge against him, conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

The charges against Mr. Kosow stemmed from his conduct from 1996 to 2001, when he operated Bare Elegance on Liberty Avenue.

Mr. Kosow went through 11 different lawyers during the protracted federal investigation and prosecution, finally choosing to represent himself.

He was not in the courtroom the day of the jury's verdict, having attempted suicide by taking a number of sleeping pills at the apartment where he was staying.

During the sentencing hearing, the judge said he did not believe Mr. Kosow was attempting to flee by trying to kill himself. That finding could allow Mr. Kosow to be housed at a minimum security federal prison camp rather than a prison.

It is up to the Bureau of Prisons to make any such designation, but Mr. Kosow did request that he be allowed to serve his time in Florida to be near his family.