A public defender has been appointed for former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who is appealing his February conviction on corruption charges.
Federal court papers filed Friday say Assistant Federal Public Defender Jordan Mark Siverd will handle the appeal. Last week, U.S. District Judge Helen Ginger Berrigan approved the appointment of a public defender. According to a questionnaire filed with the court, Nagin had just $23.65 in the bank and numerous debts.
He is appealing his conviction on 20 counts including bribery, conspiracy and money laundering stemming from his two terms as mayor, including the chaotic days after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. He is scheduled to begin a 10-year sentence Monday at a federal prison in Texarkana, Texas.
