The mayor who led New Orleans during the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe will begin a trial for a corruption scandal during his last days in office.

Ray Nagin was indicted a year ago on charges he accepted free trips and more than $200,000 in bribes from contractors in exchange for helping them secure lucrative city contracts.

The 21-count indictment includes bribery and wire fraud charges, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years and 20 years in prison.

Nagin also is accused of getting free private jet and limousine services to New York from a businessman who owned a New Orleans movie theater and agreeing to waive tax penalties the businessman owed to the city on a delinquent tax bill in 2006.

After leaving office, Nagin is accused of accepting monthly payoffs totaling $112,250.

Nagin’s attorney, Robert Jenkins, tried to persuade a judge to dismiss the indictment, citing federal prosecutor misconduct, but he was unsuccessful.

Source: AP