Democrat Charlotte Sheriff Now Under Investigation for “Mafia-style” Intimidation and Corruption
District Attorney Spencer Merriweather has formally requested the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) to probe allegations of attempted extortion and corruption against Democrat Sheriff Garry McFadden.
The investigation follows a removal petition filed Monday in Superior Court by Democratic State Rep. Carla Cunningham and four former Sheriff’s Office employees. The filing accuses the two-term Sheriff of “mafia-style” intimidation, bribery, and willful misconduct.
The petition outlines explosive allegations regarding Sheriff McFadden’s conduct over House Bill 10, a controversial state law mandating cooperation between local sheriffs and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Rep. Cunningham, a fellow Democrat who provided a critical vote to override the Governor’s veto of the bill, alleges McFadden threatened her safety to influence her vote.
According to the petition, McFadden told Cunningham that if she continued to support the bill, the “people of Mecklenburg County would ‘come after’ her.”
The filing claims McFadden added, “I don’t want to see you get hurt. You live in my county.”
Cunningham described the interaction as “akin to a mafia boss demanding money by saying ‘nice little store you’ve got there; it would be a shame if anything happened to it.’”
She stated the intimidation made her fear for her physical safety and question whether she would receive law enforcement protection.
On Monday, District Attorney Merriweather confirmed he has asked the SBI’s Professional Standards Unit to investigate the claims before his office decides whether to proceed with the removal petition. The DA’s letter to the SBI specifically requests an investigation into:
- Extortion and bribery.
- Economic threats made to influence legislation.
- Hatch Act violations (regarding improper political activity).
- State campaign finance violations.