Deja Vu: Ex-Mayor in Trouble Again
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A grand jury has indicted ex-Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon on a felony count of voter fraud. Cannon cast an early ballot on October 30th at a polling place at Ballantyne Village. About two weeks prior, he pleaded guilty to felony corruption and was sentenced to 44 months in federal prison. Convicted felons cannot vote. He told reporters back then, “I went like I would normally go, I go every year with my wife to vote. This was a careless judgment in error on my behalf.”
A poll worker noticed Cannon that day in October and notified the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections. Director Michael Dickerson talked to WCCB News @ Ten anchor Morgan Fogarty and said, “Our board did their job and they challenged that ballot and removed that ballot, so it was never included in the tally of the vote count.”
A spokeswoman for District Attorney Andrew Murray tells WCCB, “The DA’s Office made the decision to submit this matter to the Grand Jury after the State Board of Elections recently presented its investigation to prosecutors. Because this matter is a pending case, ethical obligations set out by the North Carolina State Bar prohibit the DA’s Office from commenting further at this time.”
“What more do you want from him? You’ve got his dignity, you’ve got his job, he’s a convicted felon, he’s been disgraced in the community. What more could you want from him? It’s kinda cheesy, I thought,” says Charlotte defense attorney George Laughrun.
He says the indictment could impact Cannon’s release from prison. Cannon is currently on track to get out early due to his participation in a substance abuse program. The early release is contingent upon good behavior and no pending charges. Laughrun says Cannon has two options: plead guilty and ask for a sentence concurrent with the time he’s already serving. Or, ask for a jury trial. He says it could be difficult for prosecutors to show intent. Laughrun says, “Plus, I think he might have some jury sympathy from some jurors saying, ‘now wait a minute, this guy’s already in prison, why take shots at him now?'”
The state Board of Elections tells WCCB Charlotte, “Voter fraud is a felony, no matter who perpetrates it.” We reached out to Cannon’s attorney but have not heard back.
