Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin is starting to serve his 10-year sentence for corruption. Two major players in the scheme that landed him behind bars are now through the court process.
Former Mayor Nagin arrives at the minimum-security prison in Texarkana, Texas destitute. His house is in foreclosure. He’s now represented by a federal public defender because Nagin says he has only about $20 to his name.
Meantime, the defendant in the only other case to go trial in the scandal — besides Nagin — has gotten a big break in his sentence. Businessman Mark St. Pierre was serving more than 17 years before he decided to help prosecutors. That sentence has now been cut to five.
St. Pierre’s City Hall contact, former technology chief Greg Meffert, received 2½ years. Meffert testified against Nagin. St. Pierre was not called to the stand, but prosecutors say he provided valuable information.
Businessman Rodney Williams is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery, giving Nagin tens of thousands of dollars in return for city contracts.
