WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE-- George Grace took the stand for the second day in a row. He stayed on the stand all day testifying in his own defense.

Grace faces federal extortion, corruption, bribery, racketeering and fraud charges for his part in "Operation Blighted Officials." This is his fifth week of trial. Prosecutors said Grace exchanged official actions as mayor for thousands of dollars in bribes.

But Grace said the reasons he took thousands of dollars were good.

"I was not in love with money where you could bribe me," Grace told the jury.

Grace told jurors he never asked for or took bribes from Baton Rouge businessman Blaine Efferson. He did say he took $8,000 from undercover FBI agents, but that was because they backed out of a trip to Uganda Grace paid for.

As for the "A-Team" prosecutors say Grace shopped out to FBI agents for kickbacks, Grace responded, "I did not ever designate any of these mayors as my A-team. [Undercover FBI Agent William Myles] did."

Grace told jurors he gave advice to and financed the campaign of former White Castle Mayor Maurice Brown, who called Grace "Big Papa." Brown was sentenced to ten years in prison for his part in Operation Blighted Officials.

Former New Roads Mayor Tommy Nelson will spend 11 years in a federal prison for his part in the sting. Grace told the jury Nelson often called him for guidance.

As for former Port Allen Mayor Derek Lewis, Grace said he "barely knew" him.

Grace testified that he "worked" for the money he took, by introducing Myles to other mayors in the area, the mayors prosecutors call his A-Team. That, Grace said, is not illegal.

Defense attorneys expect to finish their questioning of Grace Thursday, when prosecutors will get their turn.