A federal judge on Wednesday deemed former New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin indigent and appointed him a new attorney from the Federal Public Defender's Office.The move means Nagin will no longer be represented by the team led by local attorney Robert Jenkins.Jenkins, in late August, filed a motion to withdraw from the case. In it, he noted that the "defendant in this matter is indigent and is not able to pay the costs that are associated with the appellate process."Nagin is appealing his conviction on a slate of corruption counts. He is set to report to a federal work camp in Texarkana, Tex., in a matter of days.Nagin was sentenced to 10 years in custody for his crimes.Earlier this year, his wife, Seleetha, filed for bankruptcy protection, hoping to stave off the sale of the couple's Dallas-area home.Paperwork more recently filed in federal court paints an even more dire financial picture. On one form, Nagin indicates the family receives $360 per month in "food stamps," and notes that friends and relatives are now helping to support the Nagins.The note includes the comment: "We are hopeful this continues."

A federal judge on Wednesday deemed former New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin indigent and appointed him a new attorney from the Federal Public Defender's Office.

The move means Nagin will no longer be represented by the team led by local attorney Robert Jenkins.

Jenkins, in late August, filed a motion to withdraw from the case. In it, he noted that the "defendant in this matter is indigent and is not able to pay the costs that are associated with the appellate process."

Nagin is appealing his conviction on a slate of corruption counts. He is set to report to a federal work camp in Texarkana, Tex., in a matter of days.

Nagin was sentenced to 10 years in custody for his crimes.

Earlier this year, his wife, Seleetha, filed for bankruptcy protection, hoping to stave off the sale of the couple's Dallas-area home.

Paperwork more recently filed in federal court paints an even more dire financial picture. On one form, Nagin indicates the family receives $360 per month in "food stamps," and notes that friends and relatives are now helping to support the Nagins.

The note includes the comment: "We are hopeful this continues."



