Nope, it's not April Fools' Day yet. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Mayor Patrick Cannon was arrested today on federal public corruption charges of theft and bribery.
The complaint and law enforcement affidavit allege that Cannon accepted the bribes from the undercover FBI agents on five separate occasions. On the last occasion, on February 21, 2014, Cannon allegedly accepted $20,000 in cash in the Mayor's office. According to the complaint and the affidavit, between January 2013 and February 2014, Cannon allegedly accepted from the undercover agents over $48,000 in cash, airline tickets, a hotel room, and use of a luxury apartment in exchange for the use of his official position.
Here's the federal complaint - all 48 pages worth.
Update (4:55 p.m.)
From the press conference today about Mayor Cannon's arrest: The city is going to continue to function as usual, says Mayor Pro Tem Michael Barnes. For those of you wondering, no, Cannon's not out just yet. The City Council has no power to remove a mayor. He will remain mayor until he resigns or is convicted of a federal indictment. If/when that happens, Council will nominate someone to take his place. In the meantime, city manager Ron Carlee reminds Charlotte, the mayor is not the executive.
You can read the City's full statement here.
See photos from the presser here.
Update (7:48 p.m.)
It happened, y'all. Cannon resigned.