Sheriff Garry McFadden faces accusations of extortion and corruption. He says the SBI’s investigation will reveal the truth.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said Tuesday he will not comment on a petition seeking his removal from office, citing an ongoing FBI investigation into the allegations.
“We cannot comment on this at this time because it is going to be investigated by the SBI,” McFadden said during an appearance on WCNC+’s Live Impact News. “We’re just going to leave it to the process and stick with the process and hope that the process reveals the true outcome of what these allegations are.”
The petition, filed by North Carolina Rep. Carla Cunningham and four former sheriff’s office employees, accuses McFadden of misconduct, maladministration and habitual refusal to perform duties. The allegations include attempted extortion, corruption, mismanagement of the county jail, retaliation against whistleblowers, misuse of official resources and workplace favoritism.
RELATED: NC lawmaker, former MCSO employees file petition to remove Meck Co. sheriff
District Attorney Spencer Merriweather has received the petition and requested that the State Bureau of Investigation examine the allegations.
McFadden received a copy of the petition on Monday and said he understands what will happen next, but declined to address specific allegations.
“It is devastating to my staff, my family, and also to myself, but we have to leave it to the process,” McFadden said.
Timing amid election season
The sheriff noted the petition comes 60 days before the primary election.
“It is always that era that we have when it becomes election season,” McFadden said. “People who know me know my image, they know my style.”
When asked about public confidence in his office, McFadden said he remains concerned about attempts to create a different image of him but expressed confidence the investigation will be fair and thorough.
Legislative testimony scheduled
McFadden is scheduled to testify Jan. 22 before the North Carolina General Assembly alongside other Mecklenburg County leaders about transit safety and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The hearing follows a separate incident involving light rail safety.
“These are the type of conversations we should have all the time with the lawmakers in Raleigh,” McFadden said. “Let us clarify some of the misunderstandings that they may have.”
The sheriff said his office will produce all documents requested by lawmakers and looks forward to the opportunity to address concerns.
“We have nothing to hide and we look forward to this opportunity to set the record straight,” McFadden said.
Details of the allegations
According to the petition, Cunningham alleges McFadden threatened her during a phone call before a vote on House Bill 318, which required sheriff’s offices to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Cunningham claims McFadden told her county residents would “come after” her and that he didn’t “want to see her get hurt: you live in my county.”
Former sergeant Marcia Crenshaw Hill, who was stabbed by an inmate in 2020 and later fired, claims McFadden created dangerous conditions at the detention center. Former chief deputy Kevin Canty, who resigned in November 2024, alleges McFadden pressured him to recommend terminations of employees without cause. Former captain Juan Delgado and former major Bryan Adams make additional allegations about policy violations and workplace favoritism.
The petition accuses McFadden of weaponizing the internal affairs unit against perceived enemies while silencing investigations into allies, and of making threats against Cunningham in an attempt to extort her vote.
Detention center operations continue
Despite the allegations, McFadden said operations continue at the sheriff’s office, which is responsible for the county jail, courthouse security and civil processes. McFadden clarified the agency is not responsible for responding to 911 calls, which fall under the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
The sheriff said detention center numbers reached a record 1,687 inmates over the weekend, up from a typical population around 1,500.
“We’re bringing in people and housing people that would ordinarily be released,” McFadden said, noting many inmates face mental health challenges.
McFadden defended his management of the detention facilities, inviting critics to visit and observe the challenges firsthand.
“Most people say that from what they read, from what they have heard other people say,” McFadden said. “Come and see our challenges inside the detention center.”
He noted that during COVID-19, no one died inside the detention center, and emphasized the difficulty of managing people accused of violent crimes alongside those with mental health issues and poverty-related challenges.
“If we took a hotel, we take the Marriott and said everybody who’s homeless, let’s put them in a Marriott for a month, what would be your challenges?” McFadden said.
Forum on juvenile detention center
Tuesday evening, McFadden planned to host a public forum at the Valerie Woodard Center to discuss misconceptions about the closure of the juvenile detention center.
The sheriff said reopening the facility would require 96 staff members, a challenge when both his office and the county’s juvenile system face staffing shortages. He emphasized that he did not close the facility but chose not to renew a contract when it expired.
“The juvenile detention center was closed at the end of our contract and so we did not honor the second contract,” McFadden said. “I don’t think nobody has an open forum like we’re going to have tonight.”
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