Robert Jenkins, attorney for Ray Nagin, today told WWL Radio that he and Nagin were caught off-guard by the 21-count indictment handed up by a federal Grand Jury.
"We were surprised that the indictment came today, because we were still talking with the government, and in fact, we had talked about meeting next week as well and see if we could come to some understanding of it," Jenkins said. "We were definitely shocked that it came this morning."
Jenkins said Nagin continues to refute the charges by federal prosecutors that he traded his influence as Mayor for cash, trips, and gifts.
"My client has always maintained his innocence," Jenkins said.
Jenkins said he knows the prosecutors handling the case well, and has had regular conversations with them about the case.
"We had an agreement to meet next Tuesday, and we were under the understanding that nothing would happen this week."
However, he said the decision on moving forward with the case may have been out of the hands of local prosecutors.
"They may have met with the higher-ups in the office...they have a job to do and we have a job to do," Jenkins said.
Jenkins agreed with an estimate of 18 months being the minimum time it will take to bring Ray Nagin before a jury.
"This is a complicated case, it's going to take a lot of discovery and information...So, I think that's a very good estimate of how long before we get there."
E-Mail
Print
