Former NOLA Official Facing Prison In Katrina Plot

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A former New Orleans city councilman is facing up to five years in prison for plotting to misuse federal money intended to help a nonprofit organization after Hurricane Katrina.

Jon Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Lance Africk.

Johnson pleaded guilty in July to diverting funds from a nonprofit he controlled to his 2007 campaign for state Senate. A court filing outlined more than $140,000 in grant money earmarked for the Ninth Ward Housing Development Corp. but didn't specify exactly how much Johnson stole.

Johnson also pleaded guilty to submitting false documents to the Small Business Administration after receiving a loan for repairing damage to his home from the 2005 hurricane.

He was elected to the council in 2010 and resigned after pleading guilty.