Democratic Mayor of Charlotte, NC, Arrested in FBI Sting For Taking $48,000 in Bribes in What Sources Call "A Real Douchebag Scheme"

No, a real douchebag scheme.

Patrick Cannon, the Mayor of Charlotte, NC was arrested today and accused of accepting nearly $48,000 in bribes during a four-year-long FBI sting. A good portion of those bribes came in the form of a quote-unquote investment into one of Cannon’s business ventures: a “feminine hygiene product” called “Hers”.

The precise type of feminine hygiene product is currently unknown, but analysts theorize it could be a douchebag.

More at AP.

Cannon, a longtime radio show host and the founder of E-Z parking, a parking management company, was elected mayor in November...

Why are parking businesses always corrupt?

Oh, note that this guy has only been on the job six months. The road to corruption is a quicker one for fast learners.

Before becoming mayor, in 2013 and 2014, he is alleged to have taken $20,000 in bribes for providing "access" to city officials in zoning matters. He was a City Councilman at the time.

He procured $12,500 in bribes -- allegedly -- to help a nightclub get its permits. In exchange for his help with the permit, the undercover agent agreed to pay him $12,500 so that Cannon could develop "Hers," his feminine hygiene product.

Cannon disputes that, of course, and in fairness, I have to point out that AP says that in a "later" conversation with the undercover agent, Cannon attempted to clarify that "help with the nightclub permits" and "$12,500 investment in 'Hers'" were two entirely unrelated transactions, completely and in all ways unconnected to one another, because he didn't want people thinking he was corrupt or anything.

More: Buzzfeed has excerpts from the indictment affidavit of one of the FBI agents involved in the sting. In one exchange, Cannon actually offers to return the money to the undercover agent, apparently becoming worried that there was "linkage" between help-for-the-nightclub and the "twelve-five." But Cannon doesn't return the money, and, per Buzzfeed, never brings up the possibility of returning it again.

Hers

Gentle enough for delicate skin.

Strong enough for Nancy Pelosi.

posted by Ace at 05:20 PM

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