Memphis mayor says corruption case dropped to focus on him

Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton says federal prosecutors dropped charges against two people so they could focus on him.

In an interview with reporters Thursday, Herenton said the FBI has questioned him about city contracts.

Earlier this week, federal prosecutors dropped charges against former Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division president and CEO Joseph Lee and former City Council member Edmund Ford Sr.

Prosecutors said they reviewed bribery and extortion charges against the two and determined they should not face trial.

"I want to tell you the real reason was because this network with the components of the justice system did not want to have Joseph Lee, prominent African-American, to go to trial while at the same time they're working desperately to try to find reasons to indict the African-American mayor," Herenton said.

"There was a strategic decision on the part of the Justice Department."

A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office declined comment.