Local

Bill of Information details Cannon involvement with strip club proposal

CHARLOTTE — A new Bill of Information unsealed in federal court Monday outlines a years-long investigation into former Mayor Patrick Cannon.

It details at least six bribes totaling more than $50,000. One new accusation that came out in the documents was that Cannon received $2,000 from a local strip club owner who owned a club in the path of the proposed blue line extension for the Lynx Light Rail.

Twin Peaks, a strip club on North Tryon, was demolished, but the owner was set to rebuild.

David Baucom owns MAL Entertainment, which operates at least five clubs in the Charlotte area. He has been in and out of trouble and is due in court on Wednesday. The state says he operated illegal slot machines.

Channel 9 reporter Ken Lemon spoke with Patty Clark, who lives near the proposed location for Twin Peaks. She is upset the club is allowed to rebuild.

"Why does it even have to go back up there? Why does a strip club need to be where there is a Walmart, where families are?" Clark said.

She read Cannon's Bill of Information, which said Cannon began accepting payments as far back as 2009.

Investigators say Cannon set up meetings between city staff workers and the business owner. Cannon said he could solicit support from the local councilman, and promised to use his influence to make sure the club could continue to operate on the same property.

That is the last thing Clark wants. She said she feels like neighbors who voice their opposition in City Council meetings are being slighted by people who pay to get what they want.

"It's not all about you. It's about us," Clark said.

Baucom's parking space at the company headquarters was empty Monday. People at the headquarters said he had no comment about his association with Cannon.

Baucom also had zoning issues with his clubs in Gastonia and Rock Hill. The IRS filed a tax lien against MAL Entertainment in February. Court records show Baucom owes taxes from 2010, 2012 and 2013.