CHARLOTTE, NC — A federal grand jury meets Tuesday in Charlotte, and could hear the case against ex-Mayor Patrick Cannon. He faces up to 50 years in prison if he’s convicted on corruptions charges. The FBI arrested Cannon in March. The 42-page criminal complaint accuses him of using his position to push through development projects. He’s also accused of accepting more than $48,000 in bribes during the four-year investigation.
Monday, the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections showed WCCB Cannon’s most recent campaign finance records. We saw several boxes in which the employers of contributors were left blank. Cannon’s campaign team also reported misleading information.
A 2013 finance report lists Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson as Jerome J. Richardson, the CEO of Flagstar. The Panthers website says Richardson retired from his position as chairman of the food service company in 1995. The Board of Elections supervisor says his staff will do a better job in the future to make sure the forms are complete and accurate.
“They’re required to make the best effort to get this information, so if they call us or send this back saying they made the best effort, that has to suffice for us,” said Mecklenburg County Director of Elections Michael Dickerson.
Dickerson says his staff is responsible for making sure records are reported on time, do not exceed $5,000, and are complete. He says any investigations are handled by the State Board of Elections. Cannon’s reports are being reviewed by that board.
