Former Mayor Ray Nagin is scheduled to appear later today in federal court to answer corruption charges. It’s his first court date after being indicted on 21 charges.
The U.S. Attorney’s office alleges in the indictment handed down last month that Nagin accepted more than $200,000 in bribes. The government alleges that city contractors funneled money to the mayor in exchange for lucrative contracts.
One is Frank Fradella, who pleaded guilty in June to paying Nagin $50,000 and supplying free granite to a Nagin family business. Fradella is set for sentencing in July, and is considered a key witness in the case against Nagin.
The former mayor has since moved to a Dallas suburb. If he pleads innocent, it’s likely he’ll have to post bond.
