City leaders to change ethics policy following Cannon charges

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte city leaders are making changes to their ethics policy to hold themselves accountable following former mayor Patrick Cannon's arrest.

On Monday, a council committee suggested changing how council members handle the bidding and permitting process for business in the city.

Cannon is accused of accepting bribes to help developers build in Charlotte.

Political experts say this is the second biggest move they could make, next to choosing a new mayor.

"Make sure all elected officials know where they stand and how they will be judged into the future," says political expert Michael Bitzer.

City leaders are also considering setting up a hotline for employees to alert the city manager about wrongdoing anonymously.

WSOC