Editing Ray Nagin (section)

==Controversies==

===Allegations of racism===
At a town hall meeting in October 2005, Nagin said: "I can see in your eyes, you want to know,'How do I take advantage of this incredible opportunity? How do I make sure New Orleans is not overrun with Mexican workers". This was in response to a question from the audience. Some Hispanic groups, including the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, criticized Nagin's statement, although those attending the town hall meeting reportedly applauded -
many believing jobs should first go to locals displaced by the hurricane. Nagin went on to say this was the city's biggest economic opportunity and urged New Orleanians to get more comfortable working beside someone who did not look like them, as everyone's help was needed. During a subsequent interview on Telemundo with Jose Diaz-Balart, Nagin praised the great work Hispanic workers did in New Orleans and said the city would not have recovered without them.

===Corruption allegations and indictments===
On April 7<sup>th</sup>, 2009, the ''Times-Picayune'' alleged a conflict of interest with regard to a trip Nagin took to Hawaii in 2004. The vacation Nagin, then-chief technology officer Greg Meffert, and their families took in 2004 was claimed to be partially paid for by Meffert, but years later it was revealed that Meffert used a contractor's credit card to pay for Nagin's plane ticket. David Hammer of the ''Times-Picayune'' reported on April 23<sup>rd</sup>, 2009, that Nagin had taken "plenty of other trips" at the expense of NetMethods, a company owned by city vendor Mark St. Pierre. In April 2009, Nagin was obliged "to sit for a deposition as part of a civil lawsuit over the city's controversial crime camera program." The ''Times-Picayune'' had obtained information that Mark St. Pierre, who allegedly paid for the holiday, had made substantial donations to Nagin's 2006 re-election campaign.

Nagin's Chief Technology Officer, Greg Meffert, was later charged with 63 felony counts in what authorities say "was a lucrative kickback scheme." All but two of the counts were subsequently dropped, and Meffert
eventually pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of filing a false income tax return.

In June 2012, Frank Fradella, who was facing major securities fraud charges, pleaded guilty in New Orleans federal court to one count of conspiracy to bribe a public official. According to ''The Times-Picayune'', Fradella claims to have paid $50,000 and delivered truckloads of free granite to Nagin's sons' business in exchange for favorable treatment for Fradella's companies with city contracts.

On January 18<sup>th</sup>, 2013, Nagin was indicted on 21 corruption charges, including wire fraud, conspiracy, bribery, money laundering, and filing false tax returns related to bribes from city contractors. The 21-count federal corruption charges were issued by a grand jury. On February 20<sup>th</sup>, 2013, Nagin pleaded not guilty in federal court to all charges.

Despite New Orleans' long history of political corruption, Nagin was the first mayor to be criminally charged for corruption in office.

Nagin was convicted on 20 of the 21 counts by jury on February 12<sup>th</sup>, 2014. These charges included that he had taken more than $500,000 in payouts from businessmen in exchange for millions of dollars' worth of city contracts.

=== Incarceration ===
Judge Helen Ginger Berrigan, a Bill Clinton appointee to the federal bench, ordered a pre-sentencing investigation.
On July 9<sup>th</sup>, 2014, Nagin was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, and more than $585,000 in restitution and forfeiture. Berrigan recommended that Nagin be sent to the Federal Correctional Complex, Oakdale. On July 15<sup>th</sup>, 2014, Nagin's attorney filed an appeal with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

On September 3<sup>rd</sup>, 2014, a judge deemed Nagin indigent and ordered the Federal Public Defender's Office to take over his appeal. Nagin said he was near penniless and relying on food stamps. Nagin reported to the Federal Correctional Institution, Texarkana, a prison camp, on September 8<sup>th</sup>, 2014. Nagin, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) #32751-034, is presently incarcerated at this facility. His earliest possible release date is May 25<sup>th</sup>, 2023.
[[Category:Corrupt Officials]]
[[Category:Modern Villains]]
[[Category:Imprisoned]]
[[Category:Lawful Evil]]
[[Category:Embezzlers]]
[[Category:Political]]
[[Category:Criminals]]
[[Category:On & Off Villains]]
[[Category:Grey Zone]]
[[Category:Anti - Villain]]
[[Category:Democratic Party villains]]
[[Category:Greedy]]
[[Category:Male]]
[[Category:Honorable Villains]]
[[Category:Traitor]]
[[Category:Wealthy]]
[[Category:Extortionists]]
[[Category:Fallen Heroes]]
[[Category:Liars]]
[[Category:Xenophobes]]