The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported on Friday, Jan. 18, that a federal grand jury has charged former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin with 21 counts of official corruption (“Ray Nagin Indictment: First New Orleans Mayor to Face Corruption Charges,” by Gordon Russell). Among the charges: Nagin used his power as mayor to entice The Home Depot to award a lucrative granite installation contract to a Nagin family company.
Nagin is also accused of taking bribes (including shipments of granite) in exchange for steering no-bid contract work to certain contractors. Says the federal indictment: “Mayor Nagin used his public office and his official capacity to provide favorable treatment that benefitted the business and financial interests of individuals providing him with bribery/kickback payoffs in the form of checks, cash, granite inventory, wire transfers, personal services, and free travel.” The Times-Picayune posts the indictment here. (“Ray Nagin Indictment: View the Court Documents,” by Keith I. Marszalek.
