Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin filed a formal notice of appeal Tuesday in the corruption case that resulted in a guilty verdict on 20 criminal counts and a prison sentence of 10 years. The brief notice said the appeal will cover the verdict, the sentence and an order that Nagin forfeit over $500,000 acquired illegally, as well as court rulings prior to the verdict.
Nagin, a Democrat, was convicted in February on charges including conspiracy, bribery, money laundering, wire fraud and filing false tax returns. The charges stem from his two terms as mayor from 2002 to 2010 — including the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005. He had been elected as a reformer, but prosecutors said graft in his administration began before Katrina and flourished afterward. The bribes came in the form of money, free vacations and truckloads of free granite for his family business.
While Nagin appeals his case, prosecutors may appeal as well. They had pushed for a sentence of about 20 years. They objected when U.S. District Judge Helen Berrigan departed from federal guidelines with the 10-year sentence. Nagin is to report to a federal prison on Sept. 8.
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- The Associated Press
