Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin faces 10 years in federal prison after being found guilty of corruption during his two terms in office, including the tumultuous years of rebuilding the city after Hurrican Katrina's devastation in 2005.

The 58-year-old ex-mayor was sentenced on Wednesday morning after being charged in February for his involvement in a US$500,000 money laundering scheme that includes bribery, wire fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy while still serving in office.

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Nagin's sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Helen Berrigan, who ruled to give him a shorter sentence since he was a devoted family man, had been committed to helping New Orleans at a time and will never hold office again. The federal guidelines minimum for his case is more than 15 ½ years.

He was told to turn himself in by September 8 and pay about US$84,000 to the Internal Revenue Service. Berrigan also stated that in her ruling that Nagin could get out of prison in 8 ½ years if he exhibits good behavior while in prison.

The former mayor thanked Berrigan for her professionalism, but did not apologize nor comment when the sentence was being handed down.

In the 10-day trial, Nagin acknowledged taking bribes in spite of the evidence the prosecution presented in court. According to prosecutors, the former mayor granted favors for bribes, which include free granite delivered to his kitchen countertop company by Stone Age LLC.

A former Cox Communications Inc. executive, Nagin was elected in 2002 who promised to lead an ethical government. He again won when he ran for re-election and worked as mayor until 2010.

The lowered sentence received plenty of criticism from the prosecution and the New Orleans citizens. Some said Nagin's crimes were 'incalculable' and that the 10-year sentence was a 'rip-off.'

Others cited the crisis brought about by Hurricane Katrina should have been a chance to "wash away all the bad stuff," but was seen as an opportunity for corruption since "more money was coming in so there was more to steal."

TagsRay Nagin, New Orleans, Louisiana, guilty