New Orleans ex-mayor Nagin led culture of corruption: prosecutors
By Kathy Finn NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Prosecutors accused former New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin, who led the city during Hurricane Katrina, of running a graft scheme that netted him cash, vacation trips and granite supplies in exchange for contracts to help rebuild the city after the storm. Nagin, 57, who was swept into office on promises of good government in 2002 and re-elected in 2006, was indicted a year ago by a federal grand jury on 21 counts of corruption, including bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, money laundering and filing false tax returns. "The evidence presented at this trial will show that Ray Nagin was a corrupt mayor - plain and simple," prosecutor Matthew Coman said in a 45-minute opening statement on Thursday. Nagin's attorney, Robert C. Jenkins, told the jury to expect ample evidence that will counter the prosecution's charges. "We have thousands and thousands of emails that support that there was no corruption ... no kickbacks," Jenkins said in an opening statement that lasted about 10 minutes. If convicted, Nagin could be sentenced to 20 years - or more - under federal guidelines, said Tania Tetlow, a Tulane University law professor and former assistant U.S. attorney. Among other things, Nagin is accused of receiving kickbacks and free family trips to Hawaii and Jamaica in exchange for contracts for city business. Prosecutors said a major backer seeking help from the mayor gave him a $50,000 payoff and sent truckloads of granite worth an estimated $200,000 to supply a kitchen countertop company Nagin owned with his sons. Nagin not only accepted bribes while in office but also arranged for post-City Hall payments of more than $112,000 from contractors between August 2010 and March 2011, Coman said. "In all, Ray Nagin took in more than $500,000 in illegal proceeds," Coman said in concluding his statement. During a long federal investigation, former Nagin aides and associates signed plea deals with the government, agreeing to testify against him. Nagin's attorneys questioned the credibility of those witnesses, especially after they agreed to testify against the former mayor in exchange for a lighter sentence. Nagin, known for his natty attire, wore a gray suit, white shirt and red-checked tie. During a break before opening arguments, he looked out at the packed courtroom that included a dozen reporters, some of whom had covered the mayor's office extensively during his administration. He was thrust into the national spotlight in 2005 when Katrina overwhelmed levees and flooded 80 percent of the city, killing 1,500 people and causing some $80 billion in damage. Thousands of New Orleans residents, especially poor African-Americans, were displaced by the storm and many were relocated for months or left New Orleans permanently. During the crisis, Nagin publicly clashed with federal and state officials over relief efforts and was accused of making inflammatory statements. Later, Nagin, who is black, was criticized for racial divisiveness after he urged residents to rebuild a "chocolate New Orleans," referring to its majority African-American population. (Writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Gunna Dickson)
