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CHARLOTTE, NC – Monday will be one of the biggest days in Charlotte’s history – for all the wrong reasons. Ex- Mayor Patrick Cannon will learn how many months or years he’ll spend behind bars for public corruption.
Cannon has been out of jail on bond since March. On Tuesday at 9a.m., he’ll be sentenced by Judge Frank Whitney at the Federal Courthouse.
Whitney has a military background and has sentenced corrupt public officials before.
“He’s very fair, very Law & Order oriented. He wants to do the right thing, whatever that is. He’s very conservative,” said George Laughrun, a prominent defense attorney in Charlotte.
The judge will hear from three character witnesses and a psychiatrist who will testify on Cannon’s behalf.
“As eloquent as he [Cannon] is, obviously with all the campaigns he’s been through, I think he can handle it. But it will probably be the toughest day of his life,” said Laughrun.
Laughrun is not involved in the Cannon case, but says there are some factors that could weigh in Cannon’s favor. For one, Cannon doesn’t have a previous record. He also admitted responsibility early and waived his indictment. His cooperation with investigators will also be considered.
Cannon could be taken into custody immediately after the sentencing, or the judge could allow him to report to prison at a later date.
Cannon joins a list of big-city mayors busted for corruption… and they didn’t get off easy.
Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin reported to prison in September. Nagin is serving 10 years for bribery, fraud and money laundering. The judge also ordered Nagin to pay about $84,000 dollars to the IRS.
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is serving 28 years in a medium-security prison for public corruption including racketeering, extortion and bribery. Kilpatrick has to pay a penalty of $390,000 dollars.
Former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci served five and a half years in federal prison on a single charge of racketeering. Cianci also had to pay a $100,000 dollar fine and complete 150 hours of community service.
The FBI arrested Cannon in March. In June, he admitted to accepting bribes as part of a plea deal. Now he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.The long-time politician’s years of public service could work in his favor.
“Generally good character is not a reason to go downward, whereas bad character is not a reason to go up,” said Laughrun.
