Businessman Expected To Plead Guilty To Bribery During Nagin Administration

A businessman is expected to plead guilty later today in federal court to bribery charges. The case is widely believed to involve former Mayor Ray Nagin.

Former Mayor Nagin is not facing any charges, but he is widely reported to be the person identified in court documents as “Public Official A.” Businessman Rodney Williams is accused of bribing “Public Official A” in exchange for no-bid contracts after Hurricane Katrina.

Another businessman – Frank Fradella – pleaded guilty earlier this year to paying for promises of city contracts.

The unnamed official is described as having been an agent for the city from 2002 to 2010, when Nagin was mayor. U.S. Attorney Jim Letten has repeatedly declined to identify the official cited in court documents.

Williams is expected to plead guilty later this morning.