Politics

Former New Orleans Mayor Testifies in Bribery Case

Said there was no "payoff" in dealings

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In addressing allegations of bribery head-on, Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin testified Thursday that in his dealings with businessman-turned-convict Frank Fradella, "there is no payoff."

Nagin also said he told his two sons, who had a granite countertop company Stone Age LLC, "to stay away from city contractors."

In the second hour of Nagin's testimony, Nagin's defense attorney Robert Jenkins showed the jury an email in which Aaron Bennett, owner of Benetech who was convicted of bribing the former Plaquemines Parish sheriff, asking to meet to discuss business opportunities, and Nagin's granite company.