CHARLOTTE — Former Mecklenburg County Deputy Chief Kevin Canty spoke with Channel 9 on Monday about why he quit working for Sheriff Garry McFadden amid a controversy.
[ PAST COVERAGE: Mecklenburg County sheriff accused of using racial slurs ]
Canty joined the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office after years with the State Bureau of Investigation
The former deputy chief said he saw several complaints about the sheriff’s office during his time with the SBI.
There were allegations of McFadden’s use of racially charged language about employees.
“In the packet also contained allegations of him using racist language, of him demeaning Black employees by making claims such as they behaved as though they were on a plantation. Or had been on a plantation before,” Canty said.
Canty said that he saw that himself.
“Beginning with my second week in that position, I began to notice certain behaviors: being abusive, abusive language toward executive staff, command staff, bullying, toxic relationships,” Canty said.
On Friday, Channel 9′s Glenn Counts aired audio that Canty said was provided to him by someone else in the sheriff’s office.
The audio is of someone, allegedly McFadden, calling a white captain a racial slur.
McFadden said he isn’t a racist and people who think he is one, should talk to him or the people who know him best.
“If you believe I’m racist, you need to talk to me, If you believe I’m racist you need to talk to the kids who come and see me,” McFadden said.
Canty’s resignation letter was widely circulated after he submitted it this month.
He wrote it in June but kept changing the date. Canty said he thinks could now speak out because he has a set pension already.
Channel 9 asked Canty if he observed anything criminal while working for McFadden.
“I did not observe anything personally that I think is criminal, but I don’t want to comment on any matters,” he said. “I want to stay away from anything that may be criminal in case something results.”
Channel 9′s Evan Donovan asked, “What would you say to viewers at home now who say, ‘Well, this guy must be just a disgruntled employee?’”
“Well, there are dozens of people who know differently with MCSO. Just as an example, since I sent that email on Friday, Nov. 1, I’ve received no less than 81 messages, phone calls from people,” Canty said.
Donovan reached out to the sheriff’s office again Monday.
A spokesperson referred us to their previous statement in which McFadden said, “We are a great agency and we always have been. We will continue to be a great agency and I am confident that we will be an even better agency tomorrow than we are today.”