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CHARLOTTE, NC — Ex-Mayor Patrick Cannon was in federal court Thursday after he violated his bond by breaking the law.Β
Cannon voted in Tuesday’s election despite being a felon.
12 days before reporting to federal prison, he walked into the courthouse surrounded by media.
When WCCB Charlotte asked him why he voted he only said, “Please, don’t be disrespectful to the court.”
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Inside, he apologized to the judge, “I’m sorry being before you once again.”
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After, he spoke to the public.Β
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“I first want to simply apologize to this community,” said Cannon.Β
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Last month, he told the judge he had a lapse in judgment when Β he took bribes from companies that wanted to do business in Charlotte.Β Thursday, he told the judge he was embarrassed because he forgot he no longer had the right to vote.
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Β “Look, people entrust us to do the right thing all the time as best we can,” said Cannon. “And obviously on that day, October 30th, that was a day whereby I had went like I would normally go each and every year with my wife to vote.”
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He said it didn’t dawn on him that he lost that right when he pleaded guilty to corruption charges until his probation officer called him to ask if it was true.
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“This was a careless judgment in error on my behalf,” said Cannon.Β
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Judge Frank Whitney told Cannon once again, “You did embarrass this community.” He said it, “again undermines government processes, the core concern here.”
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Judge Whitney said from now on, defendants will be informed by multiple agencies that they lose their civil rights as soon as they plead guilty to a felony.Β
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“Thank the judge for understanding,” said Cannon.Β
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The reason Judge Whitney said he did not immediately send Cannon to jail was because it would cost taxpayers too much. Thursday, Cannon was in his home under house arrest and GPS monitoring. He will wear that until he heads to Morgantown, WV’s federal prison.Β
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“God willing, I’ll see you all on the back end.”Β
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I wanted to point out the US Attorney’s Office did address points from WCCB Charlotte’s previous report on the matter.Β
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Prosecutors said when it comes to getting a list of new felons to the board of elections, they couldn’t do so every conviction because it would not be practical.Β
