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Β CHARLOTTE, NC — Legal experts in corruption cases say more warrants and more charges are possible following former Mayor Patrick Cannon’s arrest and resignation.
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Former Union Co. District Attorney John Snyder says the bombshell scandal surrounding the ex-Mayor is just beginning to unfold, and on paper, the FBI has a strong case against Cannon.
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“If he’s smart, he’s going to be singing to anyone who will listen to him about what he knows, how he learned it, and what happened to get him there,” says Snyder.
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Over a 4-year period, the 42-page criminal complaint reveals Cannon accepted $48,000 in bribes.Β Snyder says anyone who has done business with Cannon should be worried.
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Scott Broyles, Professor at the Charlotte School of Law, agrees and says more arrests are likely.Β “From what the evidence suggests, he was deeply involved with a lot of individuals,” says Broyles.
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Broyles says it’s unknown at this point if Cannon’s wife Trenna faces any charges. Her potential involvement in her husband’s sting operation is laid out in the criminal complaint.
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Moving forward, legal experts say a lot will depend on if the ex-Mayor cooperates with investigators. If Cannon resists and fights the charges, experts says it could be a long drawn-out affair as they move towards trial.
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Cannon faces up to 50 years in prison. Snyder says jail time is likely, but Cannon could make a plea deal that could impact his sentence if he’s convicted.
