Ray Nagin, 58, got slapped with 10 years behind bars in a federal prison on Wednesday for a slew of transgressions he perpetrated while serving as mayor of New Orleans.
Nagin was convicted five months ago on 20 of 21 counts of bribery, wire fraud, tax evasion and other charges, and will likely serve out his sentence at a minimum security federal detention center in Oakdale, Louisiana, The Times-Picayune reported.
A former member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, billionaire business magnate Michael Bloomberg’s pro-gun control organization, Nagin served as mayor during Hurricane Katrina, presiding over the city’s controversial decision to go door to door and confiscate firearms from law-abiding citizens.
Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin maintains his innocence despite the fact that a jury of his peers convicted him on 20 of 21 counts of corruption-related charges. (Photo: Right Perspective.org)
Upon delivering the sentence to the two-term mayor, U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan spoke about what went into deciding the man’s fate.
“I must impose a sentence that I feel is sufficient but not greater than necessary,” she said, adding “the seriousness of Mr. Nagin’s offenses can hardly be overstated.”
Some have argued that Nagin got off easy with the 10-year sentence as he was facing 20 or more years behind bars.
Though, from Nagin’s perspective, it appears that’s more time in an orange jumpsuit than what he expected.
“Well, you know, all of this is pretty surreal to me,” he told WDSU. “I still maintain my innocence. We’re going to appeal this thing and, you know, it’s just something that’s very difficult.”
Asked about how things went south so fast, Nagin said, “Well, in my opinion, I’ve been targeted, smeared, tarnished and for some reason some of the stances that I took after Katrina didn’t sit well with some very powerful people. So now I’m paying the price for that.”
“Some of the stances that I took after Katrina didn’t sit well with some very powerful people.” Yeah, people like the Founding Fathers and the writers of the Second Amendment.
So much for “Chocolate City” and their favorite mayor. Funny how they had to import workers to do repairs / clean up from Katrina, while the majority Black populace of New Orleans sat at home waiting for their Gub’mint check, instead of going to WORK and earing their money. That is why I almost wish we could return to the days of only property owners can vote. It would change the political direction of this once great nation back in the right direction again, where hard work was rewarded and sloth was not.
Typical black law breaker. Hey, I be framed. I are innosent…why yo picken on me…Cause I is black? NO! because you broke the law you idiot!