Former mayor lends advice in first public appearance since leaving prison

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Patrick Cannon, a former Charlotte mayor convicted on federal corruption charges for accepting bribes, is helping people figure out how to run for public office.

Cannon, who made his first public appearance Saturday morning before a crowd since he was released from federal prison in September, sat on a panel for the Black Political Caucus to help people figure out how to navigate bids for office.

The discussion was held at C.N. Jenkins Presbyterian Church on Statesville Avenue.

Dr. Wilhelmenia Rembert and Arthur Griffin sat on the panel along with Cannon.

Cannon based his advice on his personal experiences with fundraising and campaigning. He also discussed issues, such as the importance of name recognition in politics.

He told a group of several dozen people he built relationships with clergy to get his name out in various communities.

He also warned office seekers that the job demands an incredible amount of time. Cannon called working as a public servant a thankless job.

Eyewitness News reporter Mark Barber asked Cannon if he thinks he is in a position to offer advice.

"What's important is to make sure anyone vying for office has an opportunity to engage with those officials who are represented here today on the panel,” Cannon said.

Cannon answered questions from people trying to figure out how to run for public office, and many of his responses sounded like pitches for his own campaign.

Channel 9 asked Cannon if he plans to run for office again.

"If it's God's will, we'll look at those things at some point, but right now my focus is my family,” Cannon said.

If Cannon decides to run, voters would need to either forget or forgive how he took thousands of dollars in cash bribes and airline tickets in exchange for political favors.

"We, as a race, are very committed to the belief in God, so we forgive and we move forward because, at the end of the day, we are better together than we are apart," said Colette Forrest, the chairwoman of the Black Political Caucus.

Mecklenburg County District 2 Commissioner Vilma Leake and members of the powerful Black Political Caucus told Channel 9 they will consider supporting Cannon if he decides to run for office again.

"He did what the court said he had to do and nothing stops him from participating in the process again,” Leake said.

When Barber asked Cannon what he would tell voters whose trust he betrayed, he shook his head and smiled.

If Cannon decides to run for office, he will have to wait until his probation ends in 2019.

“Since I've been back in September, there's only been love and support,” Cannon said. "Concentrate on the future, that's what it's about.”

Cannon was released from federal prison in September after serving 22 months of his 44-month sentence. An FBI sting caught Cannon accepting thousands of dollars in bribes in cash and airline tickets.

Cannon is on two years of supervised probation. He returned to public radio last month, hosting a public affairs show called, “At the table with Cannon.”

Cox Media Group