Businessman linked to Nagin pleads guilty

A Louisiana businessman linked to a federal probe of former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin pleaded guilty today to making a $50,000 payoff to a former city official in exchange for favorable treatment for his business interests. Authorities haven’t identified the city official whom Frank Fradella allegedly conspired to bribe, but court documents say the official served from May 2002 to May 2010—a period matching Nagin’s tenure in office. Prosecutors say Fradella, 56, of Covington, provided truckloads of free granite to the official. Nagin and his two sons obtained a contract to install granite countertops for local Home Depot stores after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. Fradella also “facilitated” a consulting agreement and monthly payments of more than $10,000 to the official after he left office, according to a court filing today. Nagin has not been charged. His attorney didn’t immediately return a call to The Associated Press seeking comment today. Fradella faces up to seven years in prison under the terms of his plea agreement with prosecutors. The charges to which he pleaded guilty carry a combined maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan isn’t bound by the terms of the plea agreement, and Fradella can withdraw his guilty plea if she rejects the deal. Fradella also pleaded guilty to a securities fraud charge that originated in Dallas, where he was indicted in May. The Texas case was transferred to New Orleans after Fradella cut his deal with prosecutors. Morgan set Fradella’s sentencing for Sept. 26.