Ray Nagin, former New Orleans mayor, must pay back $500K

WASHINGTON, May 28 (UPI) -- Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was ordered by a federal judge Tuesday to back more than half a million dollars related to his conviction for fraud.

Nagin, who was convicted in February on 20 counts of fraud for accepting payoffs for city contracts while serving as mayor, from 2002 to 2010, is set for sentencing June 11, but his lawyer is seeking a delay.

U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan ordered Nagin to pay the full amount in asset forfeiture sought by the prosecution, but said her decision was preliminary until sentencing.

A jury convicted Nagin of charges of bribery, money laundering, tax and wire fraud for accepting gifts or cash for his granite countertop business in exchange for city work. Prosecutors said he should pay back every penny -- $501,000 -- he earned through his corrupt dealings.

He could face about 20 years in prison, in addition to the fines.