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AUSTIN — Former Elgin Mayor Christopher Cannon pleaded guilty to felony theft of property charges June 20, according to prosecutors.
Cannon served two terms as mayor of Elgin from 2016 to 2020.
According to the Travis County District Attorney’s office, 38-year-old Cannon, a licensed insurance agent, is accused of pocketing $30,000 to $150,000 of insurance payments from Baker’s Backhoe Services in Bastrop County.
The incidents took place between Jan. 17, 2015, and Aug. 21, 2019, during his time as mayor, investigators said. Cannon accepted insurance payments without officially submitting them for policies, according to prosecutors.
Cannon was indicted by a Travis County grand jury April 26, 2021, and was arrested May 4, 2022, by officers with the Elgin Police Department.
The Texas Department of Insurance has a special prosecutor assigned to work in the Travis County District Attorney’s Office focused on insurance-related crimes. “Our office is committed to holding accountable powerful actors who violate our laws,” Travis County District Attorney José Garza said in a press release Wednesday. “We appreciate our partnership with the Texas Department of Insurance in ensuring that the victims, in this case, receive the justice they rightfully deserve.”
“Chris Cannon deeply regrets his actions that led to the charges filed in this case. He hopes his guilty plea provides some closure to those involved. He plans to pay everything back and rebuild the trust he once had with his family, friends and the city of Elgin,” said Cannon’s attorney in a statement to KXAN.
Cannon faces charges of insurance fraud, a third-degree felony. If convicted, he could be fined up to $10,000 and face up to 10 years in prison.
