Ray Nagin, the former New Orleans mayor who was convicted on 20 corruption charges earlier this year, began his 10-year sentence in federal prison on Monday.

Back in Feb. the 58-year-old businessman-turned-politician was found guilty of accepting more than $500,000 worth of bribes and free trips in exchange for millions of dollars in contracts in city work while he was mayor of New Orleans. Nagin, who served as mayor from 2002 to 2010, was also ordered to pay $84,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Helen Berrigan, reports USA Today.

He was ordered to report to a minimum security satellite camp of a federal prison in Texarkana, Texas on Monday to begin serving out his time behind bars, said a Federal Bureau of Prisons spokesman, according to Reuters.

During his two-week trial, the onetime cable company executive denied allegations that he took any bribes. Nonetheless, the jury convicted him on 20 out of 21 criminal counts, including accepting money, free vacations and tons of free granite for his family business from contractors looking for work from the city or support for Hurricane Katrina recovery projects. He was also found guilty of bribery, conspiracy and money laundering.

However, the former Democratic mayor has vowed to appeal his conviction in spite of the fact that he has admitted to have lost all of his money and is working with a court-appointed attorney.

He filed a formal notice of appeal at the U.S. District Court back in July, reports The Associated Press.

"The brief notice said the appeal will cover the verdict, the sentence and an order that he forfeit over $500,000 acquired illegally," states the AP.

Nagin could be freed after serving around 8-1/2 years in prison with good behavior.