Former New Orleans Mayor Sentenced To 10 Years In Federal Prison
Ray Nagin, the former New Orleans mayor, was indicted for federal crimes on January 18, 2013 on 21 corruptions charges in Federal Court. Nagin served as mayor from 2002 to 2010. He gained attention nationwide after Hurricane Katrina. On February 20, 2013, he pleaded not guilty in Federal Court to all federal crimes charges. He was, however, later convicted after a federal jury trial on 20 of the 21 federal crime charges. The federal crime charges came three years after he left office. Nagin was just recently sentenced to 10 years in prison and was facing 20 years under federal sentencing guidelines. Judge Berrigan sentenced Nagin to ten years prison, which is a downward departure from the federal sentencing guidelines. He also was ordered to pay $84,264 in restitution. His report date is September 8, 2014 and he is supposed to report to a minimum security federal prison in Oakdale, La.
The Charges
Prosecutors said Nagin accepted free travel. The Government also said he funneled money into his sons’ company called Stone Age. The allegations were that he received free granite, which he gave to his sons. The federal crimes charged in the federal indictment included bribery, wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and filing false tax returns. Most of the federal crimes came from men looking for city work after Hurricane Katrina. Many individuals who plead guilty in the scheme testified against Nagin at the trial. It is rumored that Nagin is going to appeal his federal crime conviction and vehemently denies any wrongdoing. Nagin accepted no responsibility at the sentencing hearing. Nagin’s wife and sons sent letters to Judge Berrigan before sentencing and have stuck by him throughout the case.
Federal crimes are extremely serious and individuals charged in Federal Court need to be represented by an experienced Federal crime attorney. Even with a downward departure sentence, federal sentences can be daunting. Keller Law Offices is located on the same block as the Federal Courthouse in Downtown Minneapolis in Minnesota. Max A. Keller has defended many individuals in Federal Court. Call us ASAP at 952-913-1421 for a free consultation if you have been charged with a white collar crime in state or federal court or a federal crime in Minnesota Federal Court.