Nagin says trip from company a 'blur'

NEW ORLEANS, May 7 (UPI) -- New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin says he is not sure if a technology firm with city contract ties paid for his family's 2005 trip to Jamaica.

The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune said Wednesday Nagin is facing allegations a company owned by technology vendor Mark St. Pierre, who has several city contracts, paid for Nagin's Jamaica trip and a 2004 trip to Hawaii enjoyed by Nagin's family.

Speaking at a Civil District Court news conference Wednesday, Nagin was unable to offer firm details regarding his family's November 2005 trip to Jamaica.

"You know, it's tough for me to recall that because that was right after Katrina, that was November after Hurricane Katrina," the mayor said. "Everything for me is a blur."

Nagin previously said a private firm may have paid for his family's Hawaiian vacation, but again had few specific details regarding trip expenditures.

Nagin said he was "confused" by the allegations, which have led to a formal state Board of Ethics complaint filled by the Metropolitan Crime Commission.

"You know what? The more I look at that stuff and read it, the more confused I get," Nagin said. "And I'm one of the main players in this."