Jury Begins Deliberations in New Orleans Corruption Case

Ex-Mayer Nagin faces bribery charges

The corruption case against former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, the city's chief executive when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, was in the hands of jurors Monday after prosecutors said they had presented evidence of a "mayor on the take."

Nagin's defense lawyer told jurors the case was built on the testimony of witnesses tainted by their own criminal conduct, hoping for lighter sentences from the federal government.

U.S. District Judge Helen Berrigan read lengthy instructions to jurors, who then headed to a separate room to have lunch and await the delivery of documents. Deliberations began mid-afternoon.