NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Federal prosecutors are making their case for convicting former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin for corruption during his two terms as mayor — a period that included the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Pickens told jurors in closing arguments Monday that they have seen evidence and heard testimony showing "how a mayor on the take operates."

A 21-count indictment alleges Nagin sought and accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of bribes from people doing business with the city.

The defense, which also was to give a final argument Monday, says the prosecution overstated Nagin's power to approve contracts. The defense also has attacked the credibility of witnesses who testified under plea agreements with the government.

Nagin, a Democrat, served from 2002 to 2010.


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