Ray Nagin: Former New Orleans mayor found guilty of corruption

Ray Nagin, the former New Orleans mayor who was in office during Hurricane Katrina, has been found guilty of corruption.

Ray Nagin, 56, helped contractors secure millions of dollars of work in exchange for bribes, free trips and other gifts.

He was charged in January 2013. The former mayor was found guilty of 20 of the 21 charges against him.

Mayor of the city from 2002 to 2010, Ray Nagin was criticised for failing to implement his evacuation plan when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005.

Before the verdict was read, Ray Nagin said outside the New Orleans federal court that he had been “at peace with this for a long time”.

Prosecutors argued during his trial Ray Nagin took at least $500,000 in bribes, beginning before Hurricane Katrina but continuing during the city’s recovery.

The graft included money, free vacations and tonnes of free granite for the stone company Ray Nagin and his sons owned.

In exchange, the local businesses were awarded consulting and construction contracts with the city.

Ray Nagin, a Democrat who served two terms, was his defence lawyers’ chief witness.

During testimony Ray Nagin vehemently denied taking bribes, saying he was bound to approve contracts awarded to the lowest bidder or through a panel recommendation process.

At least four Ray Nagin associates have already pleaded guilty in the case. Defence lawyers also argued the prosecution’s case was built on the testimony of business owners who pleaded guilty in hopes of getting lighter sentences.

Among more than two dozen prosecution witnesses were five people who said they were involved in bribing the former mayor.

Each charge carries a sentence of three to 20 years, but how long he will serve is unclear.

Ray Nagin will remain free on bond but will be monitored, before his sentencing hearing, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported.