Charlotte, NC's Black Dem Mayor Cannon resigns after corruption arrest

[Mojo2]

Charlotte, NC's Black Dem Mayor Cannon resigns after corruption arrest

Patrick Cannon, who rose from public housing to become mayor of North Carolina’s largest city, was arrested Wednesday by the FBI and accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes – including $20,000 in cash delivered in a briefcase last month to the mayor’s office.

Cannon, a 49-year-old Democrat who took office only four months ago, was scheduled to show up at a luxury apartment in SouthPark for yet another payoff from what he thought were businessmen needing his influence in city matters, the affidavit says.

But after arriving, Cannon learned who they really were, a source confirmed: undercover FBI agents who’d been recording their meetings over the past three years, long before he launched a campaign for mayor in 2013.

Cannon resigned as mayor Wednesday night, capping an extraordinary day that included allegations of an illicit trip to Las Vegas and payoff negotiations at the Capital Grille – the same uptown steakhouse that figured in the region’s last major political scandal. It was there that former N.C. House Speaker Jim Black of Matthews, also a Democrat, took bribes from a group of chiropractors seeking help with legislation.

Cannon was charged with theft and bribery, accused of taking cash payoffs at least five times. He was brought before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler, required to surrender his passport and released on $25,000 unsecured bond pending an indictment that could come as early as next week. Prominent Charlotte attorney James Ferguson has been hired to represent him.

Historian Jack Claiborne, who has researched Charlotte’s mayors, said such corruption charges are unprecedented in the city’s history.

Read more here: Mayor Cannon resigns after corruption arrest | CharlotteObserver.com

Sorry to see another Black man bringing discredit to the race. But Democrats and progressives and Liberals are cut from the same cloth.

They can't control themselves and they can't easily see the implications of their actions beyond the immediate results.

 

[strollingbones]

o and mention the sweetheart deal the gop had make with duke energy......which they have been forced by the feds to withdraw

 

[strollingbones]

North Carolina to withdraw Duke Energy settlement over coal ash spill | World news | theguardian.com

 

[Mojo2]

o and mention the sweetheart deal the gop had make with duke energy......which they have been forced by the feds to withdraw

You must think this is all just a fucking political football game where the other side scores a "gotcha" so then you need to reply with a "gotcha" of your own.

You are providing do-badders a soft, cozy set of welcoming arms to anyone who wants to break the law while in office and that will only act as an encouragement to them as they, collectively, erode the trust we have in Government and, in turn, corrodes the framework of America itself.

STOP DEFENDING THESE LAWBREAKERS, DAMMITT!!!

 

[strollingbones]

look dude i live in nc and i know what a cluster it is...i also know that charlotte does not represent the state as a whole...now does it...and you are the one bringing the partisan shit to the table....

 

[ABikerSailor]

It really doesn't matter what political party belongs to, corruption is corruption.

There have also been three Democratic CA state senators and reps who have also been brought up on corruption charges.

But.................like I said...............corruption doesn't have a single party that it adheres to, because a lot of Republicans have been nailed for crap too.

If a person is found to be taking kickbacks and payoffs, regardless of their political party, they should be kicked out immediately.

Maybe if both parties would start policing their ranks for those who are using their public office for personal gain, we'd actually have a government that works for the people again.

 

[S.J.]

The criminal mind.

 

[strollingbones]

it really is that simple.....both parties are beyond corruption and its not limited to any state or any party