Memphis ex-mayor: Federal probe political

MEMPHIS, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton, a candidate for Congress, says he is a target of a federal investigation "grounded solely in politics."

Herenton said he had been informed of the investigation in a "target letter" -- typically a precursor to an indictment -- just weeks before his first primary event for his challenge to U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., in next year's Democratic primary, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported.

In a response to U.S. Attorney Eric Holder, released to the newspaper, Herenton called the target letter "nothing more than a well-orchestrated attempt to influence the outcome of the congressional election next year."

Herenton's letter said he was informed by the local U.S. attorney's office that he is a target of an investigation involving "personal business transactions that I participated in while mayor" dealing with a Greyhound Bus Line property.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Memphis would not comment on whether Herenton is under investigation or had been sent a target letter.

Herenton resigned as mayor last year, announcing his decision only three months after his election to an unprecedented fifth term.