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FBI video shows former Charlotte mayor pocketing thousands in bribes

By Mark Becker, wsoctv.com and Jenna Deery
By Mark Becker, wsoctv.com and Jenna Deery

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The surveillance video and audio files were from the investigation into Patrick Cannon were released Wednesday by the FBI, and they make it clear that the former mayor knew what he was doing.

WATCH Cannon undercover video inside mayor's office

The FBI released 17 minutes and 42 seconds of video and audio files to the media Wednesday.

Cannon's guilty plea was on a single count of honest services wire fraud, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

CLICK to listen to the audio files

An FBI sting recorded him accepting thousands of dollars in cash and airline tickets from undercover agents posing as businessmen, according to court documents.

One of the videos starts with Cannon shuffling through papers at a coffee table in an apartment. The FBI blocked out the face of their agent, who was posing as a businessman wanting to open a night club.

The agent walks away and then walks back as Cannon reaches for a stack of cash on the table. He puts it up to his ear and fans the bills. The FBI said the stack of cash was $12,500.

WATCH undercover video of Cannon at Las Vegas:

The FBI recorded another meeting in the apartment, 11 months after the one where Cannon fanned the stack of cash. The agent handed Cannon a key to the apartment. In a later clip of the same meeting, Cannon was explaining to the agent how he would help him get his deal done.

Cannon was sentenced to 44 months in prison. He is currently serving time in West Virginia.

WATCH Cannon undercover video inside apartment:

WATCH Cannon undercover video inside mayor's office

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