By Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief, Cleveland Urban News. Com and The Cleveland Urban News.Com Blog, Ohio's Most Read Online Black Newspaper and Newspaper Blog, Tel: (216) 659-0473 Kathy Wray Coleman is  a community activist and 20 year investigative journalist who trained for 17 years at the Call and Post Newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio. (www.clevelandurbannews.com) /(www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com)

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana- Former New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin (pictured), who served during the Katrina Hurricane tragedy and caused an uproar when he said then that the city would remain a 'Chocolate City,' was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in federal prison following jury convictions on a host  ofcorruption-related charges relative to his time as mayor.

Nagin, 58, faced 20 years, which prosecutors sought, but the judge opted for only 10, saying he is not a danger, and citing his age. He was convicted in February of accepting bribes, wire-fraud and filing false tax returns.

The ex-mayor's fall from grace followed his cerebrated election in 2002 as an agent for change, and another four year term thereafter. He moved to Dallas, Texas in 2010 until his indictment last year on federal charges.

Prosecutors said at trial and at sentencing that Nagin, a Democrat, knowingly defrauded the government, seeking bribes in exchange for favorable treatment. The former mayor, who is Black, continues to claim his innocence and must report to prison sometime in September.

(www.clevelandurbannews.com) / (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com)