This video is no longer available.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Amani Abdul confirmed Thursday she is “the former campaign aide to former Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon,” meaning, the aide listed in the FBI’s criminal complaint. The complaint reads in part, “Cannon recommended that (an undercover agent) contact one of Cannon’s campaign aides, who Cannon said was a real estate broker. In reality, the campaign aide was not yet licensed in North Carolina…”
The undercover agent believed Cannon was attempting to persuade the agent to hire his aide. And then “analyses of telephone records show that Cannon and the campaign aide had numerous daily contacts via text message and telephone calls…”
In October 201[3], the feds say the campaign aide texted an undercover agent on behalf of Cannon and requested a key to that now infamous and still secret SouthPark apartment. She’s also listed by name in a search warrant receipt. Agents took a printed email from “Amani Abdul to Peggy Huffman [the mayor’s scheduler] dated February 19, 2014…”
We don’t know what the email says, but that date, February 19, is the day, feds say, Cannon and an undercover agent spoke on the phone to finalize a meeting that would take place two days later. In that meeting, Cannon allegedly accepted that leather briefcase containing $20,000 cash.
In a statement to WCCB Thursday, Abdul says “I was never in the SouthPark apartment…nor was I romantically involved with Mr. Cannon.” (Read Abdul’s entire statement below.)
She goes on to say “I have done nothing wrong or illegal and have not been contacted by the FBI…”
Abdul lives in an Uptown apartment building. There was no sign of her Thursday. Her private Instagram account contains numerous pictures and video of Cannon and his campaign. Two weeks ago, she wrote about Cannon’s arrest and said, in part, “Thank you to those who called or sent an ‘I told you so’… I’m glad you feel that you are flawless.”
Abdul served as development director for a local real estate firm. Her employer tells WCCB the role was freelance and both he and Abdul agreed it was in both of their best interests to “part ways.”
AMANI ABDUL STATEMENT:
“I, Amani Abdul, am the former campaign aide to former Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon.
Over the last several days I have received numerous emails, social media messages, calls, etc. relative to the former mayor’s FBI affidavit and search warrant list released to the public associated with the current FBI investigation.
I worked as an aide to Mr. Cannon in his recent campaign for mayor. However, I had no involvement with the FBI’s investigation or arrest of Mr. Cannon. Additionally, I was never in the South Park apartment mentioned in the FBI affidavit or any other South Park apartment for that matter nor was I romantically involved with Mr. Cannon. The email in question was listed as part of a search warrant list of items retrieved by the FBI and is the property of the FBI. I will respect their investigation but will be available to discuss once the investigation is concluded.
I have done nothing wrong or illegal and have not been contacted by the FBI or any other law enforcement agency with regards to this matter. However, if approached by the FBI or The United States Attorney’s office I will cooperate fully and completely.
Due to the fact that this is an ongoing investigation, I will not make any further statements or respond to any further inquiry regarding this matter from the media.
I ask that you please respect my personal and professional life and privacy.
Thank you,
Amani Abdul”
