Former New Orleans mayor Nagin guilty of taking bribes

Former New Orleans mayor C Ray Nagin was found guilty by a federal jury of accepting bribes and trading on the public trust during the critical years of rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city in 2005.

A jury of six men and six women convicted Nagin on 20 of 21 counts, including bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, money laundering and tax evasion. It acquitted him on one bribery count.

A sentencing hearing has been set for June 11. Nagin, 57, faces at least 20 years in jail, according to legal experts.

Prosecutors said the combined value of the bribes, which included lavish personal parties, private jet rides and first-class airfare for a Nagin family shopping trip to New York, totalled more than $500,000 (€365,000).

During the 10-day trial, the jury heard from some 30 prosecution witnesses, including a city hall insider and contractors who earlier pleaded guilty to bribing public officials and are awaiting sentencing.

Prosecutors described Nagin as a mayor on the take, granting favours for bribes that included tonnes of free granite delivered to a kitchen countertop company he ran with his sons.

Nagin showed no obvious initial reaction as the verdict was read. He had spent several hours on the witness stand during which he flatly denied taking bribes.

Asked by a reporter if Nagin is likely to appeal the verdict, his lawyer Robert Jenkins said: “Of course.”