A federal judge sentenced former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who was convicted on 20 corruption charges in February, to 10 years in prison on Wednesday.

On Feb. 12, the 58-year-old businessman-turned-politician was found guilty of accepting more than $500,000 worth of bribes and free trips from businessmen in exchange for millions of dollars in contracts in city work while he was mayor of New Orleans. The two-term mayor was also ordered to pay $84,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Helen Berrigan, reports USA Today.

Nagin, a Democrat who served as mayor from 2002 to 2010, was instructed to report to federal prison Sept. 8.

During his two-week trial, he denied allegations that he took any bribes. Nonetheless, the jury convicted him of accepting money, free vacation trips and tons of free granite for his family business from contractors looking for work from the city or support for Hurricane Katrina recovery projects.

Nagin had faced a possible sentence of 12 to 30 years. Federal prosecutors petitioned the court to grant him a stiff sentence, arguing that he was found guilty of 20 of 21 charges and that he both participated in and orchestrated corruption due to greed. The government also described his testimony during the trial as "a performance that can only be summed up by his astounding unwillingness to accept any responsibility," reports the New York Times.

"Nagin's widespread and corrosive breach of the public trust -- lasting through much of his tenure in office -- equals even the worst of these state and local corruption cases," wrote Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Coman.

However, defense attorney Robert Jenkins petitioned the court for a lighter sentence for Nagin, a first time offender with no criminal record. Jenkins also stated that, despite the allegations and evidence presented during the trial, Nagin is otherwise an outstanding businessman, family member and citizen.

"Mr. Nagin has been a devoted father, husband, and supportive child to his parents, and greatly cares for the well being of his family, and is their caretaker," Jenkins wrote.